CalPortland reps, others meet with House majority leader

CalPortland representatives and others from industry associations met with House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., to discuss the value of the aggregates industry.

According to the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (NSSGA), McCarthy met with CalPortland staff and representatives from the National Ready-Mix Concrete Association, the Portland Cement Association and the American Concrete Pavement Association.

The meeting served as an opportunity for  industry representatives to speak with McCarthy about the value of the aggregates while he was in his home district during the congressional recess, NSSGA says. McCarthy answered the group’s questions about various  industry issues and covered topics such as general infrastructure needs, regulatory reform, the Environmental Protection Agency’s Waters of the United States rule and the passage of the FAST Act.

In addition, McCarthy mentioned the need to streamline the permitting of aggregates and mining properties, and he referenced the National Strategic and Critical Minerals Production Act sponsored by Rep. Mark Amodei, R-Nev. According to NSSGA, Amodei’s bill would streamline the permitting process to leverage the mineral resources in the United States, while also paying respect to economic, national security and environmental concerns.