Fracking has become an industry standard in the oil development industry. If you drive through the states of Pennsylvania, Texas, North Dakota, Arkansas, Montana, and California you will see lots of activity involving fracking. What is fracking and what materials are used in this process?
Like the Legendary Phoenix, SB 1270 Has Risen from the Ashes
On May 23, 2014, the Surface Mining and Reclamation Act (SMARA) reform bill, Senate Bill (SB) 1270 (Pavley), did not make it out of the Senate Appropriations Committee, thus killing the bill for this session. However, like the phoenix, the legendary Arabian bird, SB 1270 rose from the ashes in June by Senate leadership through a rule waiver. The new version of the bill includes further amendments; however, the changes do not address many of the issues that negatively impact the industry. SB 1270 is a toxic bill drafted with the intent to transfer SMARA authority to the State, substantially increase fees to the industry, and create several mandatory provisions that would result in further cost increases and uncertainty within the mining industry. We also suspect that the change in annual fees is an attempt to funnel money to The Sierra Fund to facilitate remediation of a number of legacy metal mines.
Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan Changes: What it means for California Mine Operators
On July 1, 2015, new stormwater rules go into effect for California Industrial General Permit (IGP) holders.
These changes affect all California dischargers (including mine sites). Every site will need to re-register for an IGP in order to continue coverage under the Notice of Intent (NOI). This means each site must also submit an updated Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) and a Monitoring Implementation Plan (MIP) before the July 2015 deadline.
Project Cornerstone Provides Outreach Program to Educate the Public about San Diego’s Construction Aggregates Industry
Project Cornerstone is a San Diego-based grassroots organization, dedicated to educating the public about the importance of local construction aggregate resources (i.e., sand, gravel and crushed stone). The organization is a result of San Diego-based construction aggregate producers identifying the need to educate the public that local supplies of aggregate are critical for cost effective infrastructure projects like roads, bridges, schools, hospitals and other public works projects. In addition, a sustainable permitted supply of construction aggregate is essential to maintain the quality-of-life the public has come to expect.
The Mineral Resource Industry Has Positive Impact on California Economy
California’s mineral resource industry is being threatened by the recent introduction of Senate Bill 1270 (Pavley). This proposed legislation will radically alter the balance between mineral resource production and regulatory oversight.
The mineral resource industry, such as construction aggregate, in California is essential to the State’s economy. It provides the materials needed to build and maintain roads, bridges, homes and commercial buildings, as well as provide jobs for thousands of Californians.
CMTA Opposes Surface Mining Bill
Senator Fran Pavley (D-Agoura Hills) is the author of SB 1270 which changes the oversight of the California Geological Survey and the requirements for surface mining operations. It also requires annual reporting fees on each mine. The bill is presumably an effort to fix implementation issues with a unique statewide mandate on local land use policies regarding reclamation from mineral extraction facilities.
SB 1270: The Cart Before the Horse?
Senate Bill 1270 (Pavley) proposes significant reforms of the California Surface Mining and Reclamation Act (SMARA). SMARA regulates surface mining in California, requiring each operation to have an approved Reclamation Plan, Land Use Permit, and Financial Assurance before extraction can commence. Authority for the implementation of SMARA is split between local lead agencies and the Office of Mine Reclamation (OMR), a division of the California Department of Conservation (DOC). Local lead agencies are in charge of implementing the program in their jurisdiction by approving or denying reclamation plans, financial assurances, land use permits and for conducting annual mine inspections. OMR serves in an oversight or an advisory role to the lead agencies. SB 1270 would remove a portion of the lead agency’s authorities and transfer these to the State.
SB 1270, SMARA Reform Bill: What is Changing and How will it Impact You?
This analysis provides an overview of the proposed changes to the California Surface Mining and Reclamation Act (SMARA) which are presented in Senate Bill 1270 (Pavley). Senator Fran Pavely of Senate District 27 is carrying the bill. District 27 covers Malibu, Thousand Oaks, Simi Valley, Moorpark and parts of Santa Clarita and the San Fernando Valley. Sen. Pavley is also the Chair of the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Water. The bill is sponsored by the Sierra Fund, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the Sierra Nevada and they are located in Nevada City, California.
Infrastructure Spending Means Positive Economic Impact
According to a study conducted by the College of William & Mary’s Thomas Jefferson Program in Public Policy (TJPPP), the U.S. needs to implement innovative ways to finance investment in its infrastructure to avoid adding to the deficit.
Whether through public-private partnerships, individual and corporate contributions, or fee lanes, investing in infrastructure is in the best interest of the U.S. economy.
A Concrete Record for Tallest Building in Western USA
Story Published February 16, 2014 / William M. Welsh, USA TODAY
LOS ANGELES – Workers building what is to become the largest skyscraper in the western USA completed pouring the massive concrete foundation Sunday and established a world record in the process.
More than 2,100 truckloads of concrete were poured continuously over more than 18 hours for the Wilshire Grand Center project, setting a Guinness world record for largest continuous pour, a Guinness judge said Sunday.
“Everything went about as picture perfectly as they expected,” said Michael Empric, Guinness’ adjudicator on the scene.
“It was kind of like a ballet of trucks, moving in and out all night, to get this record done,” he said.
The overnight pour began with a Saturday afternoon celebration at the downtown construction site, where the University of Southern California marching band led the parade of concrete trucks.
The 21,200 cubic yards of concrete was completely poured shortly before noon Sunday, besting a previous record of 21,000 cubic yards set by The Venetian hotel in Las Vegas in 1999, Empric said.
Because concrete heats up as it cures, the architect and contractors designed and installed a system of chiller pipes inside the foundation that will cool the concrete as it solidifies. Pouring continuously rather than in sections allowed for establishing a single solid base to support the building’s weight without linking separate sections of foundation, architect Chris Martin said.
The $1 billion private hotel and office project is being built by a Korean group that owns Korean Air Lines.
Once finished, the 73-story skyscraper will reach 1,100 feet, counting its spire, making it the tallest structure west of the Mississippi River. It will be about 100 feet taller than the current tallest building in Los Angeles and the West, the U.S. Bank Tower. The hotel is expected to open in 2017.
“In L.A. I think people are enthused about downtown. They’re excited about this building. … It means jobs, jobs, jobs,” Mayor Eric Garcetti told KABC-TV at the ceremony.
Source: http://www.usatoday.com