Journals

Construction Industry Challenges OSHA’s New COVID-19 Vaccination Mandate, Noting That Measure Exceeds Agency’s Authority

By Subcontractors USA News Provider Recently, the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC), the American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) and the Signatory Wall & Ceiling Contractors Alliance (SWACCA) filed a petition for review of OSHA’s new COVID-19 vaccination mandate. The groups explain that the new rule will put many construction companies at grave…

Most Contractors Report Significant Flaws With the Nation’s 811 Utility Location System, Citing Inaccurate Locates and Slow Response Times

By Subcontractors USA News Provider There are significant flaws with the current 811 utility location system according to a new survey of construction firms that perform any kind of underground excavation released by the Associated General Contractors of America today. Most contractors say that calling 811 often leads to inaccurate line marking and that utility…

CPS Energy Board Appoints Rudy D. Garza as Interim President & CEO of CPS Energy

By Dana C. Sotoodeh, CPS Energy Contributing Writer The CPS Energy Board of Trustees voted recently to appoint Rudy D. Garza as Interim President & Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective November 8, 2021. Garza will serve in this role while the search for the permanent President & CEO takes place. The Board of Trustees announced…

City of San Antonio Announces New Utility Assistance Program

By Dana C. Sotoodeh, CPS Energy Contributing Writer Recently, the San Antonio City Council approved a new $30 million utility assistance program, funded using the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). The program will assist low-income residents financially impacted by the COVID-19 crisis with utility payments. The new program will allocate $20 million to assist CPS…

NRG Energy Recognizes Business Customers During Annual Excellence in Energy Awards

By Subcontractors USA News Provider NRG Energy, Inc. (NRG) honored its top energy customers for their leadership in energy efficiency, sustainability, and community support during the second annual Excellence in Energy Awards on November 17, 2021. The Excellence in Energy Awards recognizes NRG customers who demonstrate a strong commitment to the planning and achievement of…

NRG Energy Joins the EV100 Initiative

By Subcontractors USA News Provider NRG Energy, Inc. (NRG) announced its participation in the Climate Group’s EV100 initiative, committing to electrify 100 percent of its light-duty fleet by 2030. This commitment expands the number of vehicles to be electrified beyond the goal first announced in June in the company’s 11th annual Sustainability Report1. NRG estimates…

Tips for Small Businesses Inspired by 2022 Tech Trends

By Subcontractors USA News Provider Small businesses are important parts of communities and a key driving factor of the current economic recovery. Modern technology and workplace trends are transforming how these organizations are run, not only to increase productivity, but expand the possibilities of the future. New research found that the United States is home…

How One Company Levels the Playing Field for New Career Seekers

By Subcontractors USA News Provider Over half of Americans (55%) now in the workforce will be looking for a new position over the next year, according to a survey from Bankrate.com. For the many Americans seeking new employment, whether recent grads, anyone just out of the military or leaving an unstable or low-paying job –…

API Statement on FTC Investigation

By Subcontractors USA News Provider The American Petroleum Institute issued the following statement from Senior Vice President for Policy, Economics and Regulatory Affairs Frank Macchiarola following President Biden’s renewed request for the Federal Trade Commission to investigate rising gas prices. “This is a distraction from the fundamental market shift that is taking place and the…

API Statement on Passage of House Reconciliation Bill

By Subcontractors USA News Provider The American Petroleum Institute (API) issued the following statement from President and CEO Mike Sommers following passage of the House reconciliation bill. “At a time when energy prices have risen alongside broader economy-wide inflation, the House reconciliation bill would only exacerbate the challenges facing Americans. This bill taxes American energy,…

Two Critical Building Permitting Trends for Contractors To Consider in 2022

By Helen Callier, Contributing Writer The number of building permits pulled in 2021 in most areas of the United States were trending higher than permits pulled in 2020. Single family residential showed increases in permitting activities in 2021 along with commercial and warehouses. So, what does this mean for permitting in 2022? The above insight…

U.S. Department of Labor Alleges Global Truck Manufacturer Fired Worker Concerned About Coronavirus Safety at Texas Facility

By Subcontractors USA News Provider As the coronavirus began to spread rapidly across the nation in March 2020, an employee of one of the world’s largest manufacturers of light, medium and heavy-duty trucks told a supervisor of their concerns about exposure to the virus at the Denton facility. In response, a representative of PACCAR Inc….

U.S. Department of Labor Orders Houston Crane Company To Pay Nearly $24k to Worker Who Refused To Violate Federal Law

By Subcontractors USA News Provider A federal whistleblower investigation led the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration to order a Houston mobile crane rental company to pay a former employee nearly $24,000 in back wages, interest and damages after firing the worker in June 2020 for refusing to drive in excess of…

New Online Portal Simplifies Application Process for OSHA’s Voluntary Protection Programs

By Subcontractors USA News Provider A new online portal for submitting applications to the U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP) is now available. The new portal modernizes the application process for companies that qualify for VPP and makes it easier for candidates to start, continue and get assistance…

U.S. Department of Labor Reminds Employers To Avoid Compliance Issues By Ensuring Worker Safety, Proper Pay Practices This Holiday Season

By Subcontractors USA News Provider With the National Retail Federation expecting retailers to hire more than 500,000 seasonal workers and employers hopeful for a busy holiday season, the U.S. Department of Labor reminds them not to overlook their worker’s rights to a safe and healthy workplace and to be paid all of their legally earned…

Guest Services: Houston Airports Unveils Customer Experience Brand Promise

By Subcontractors USA News Provider With a number of ongoing expansions, upgrades and modernizations, Houston Airports takes great pride in meeting and exceeding customer expectations. According to Chief Terminal Management Officer Liliana Rambo, it’s as simple as “being a good host with guests coming over” – with an estimated 44 million “guests” expected by the…

METRO’s COVID-19 Safety Strategies Receive Industry Recognition

By Subcontractors USA News Provider The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (METRO) has been recognized for its proactive safety measures in response to COVID-19 by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), during its annual conference and expo in Orlando, Florida. Each year APTA recognizes transit agencies that implement successful programs or projects to address…

Maxine Buckles Named Port Houston’s First Chief Business Equity Officer

By Subcontractors USA News Provider Maxine Buckles has been named Port Houston’s first-ever Chief Business Equity Officer reporting directly to Executive Director Roger Guenther. Buckles is responsible for implementing and administering diversity, equity, and training programs, including Port Houston’s new Minority- and Woman-Owned Business Enterprise Development Program and its successful Small Business Development Program. In…

Aviation Director Delivers State of the Airports Address

By Subcontractors USA News Provider More than 400 guests gathered in a spacious ballroom at the Marriott Marquis Houston to hear Houston Aviation Director Mario Diaz give his 2021 State of the Airports address. The audience included the City of Houston’s Chief Development Officer Andy Icken, elected officials, community leaders and business executives. The event was…

For More Than 20 Years, Bexar County’s Small Business & Entrepreneurship Department Connects Small Businesses to Opportunities

COVID-19 has wrought unprecedented challenges that have and continue to affect us in profoundly different ways…