The National Stone, Sand, & Gravel Association (NSSGA) respectively submits this letter to thank Chairs Peter DeFazio and Donald Payne, Ranking Members Sam Graves and Rick Crawford, and the Members of the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials (Committee) for holding this important and timely hearing on “Stakeholder Views on Surface Transportation Board (STB) Reauthorization” on March 8, 2022. NSSGA strongly supports the funding of the STB to ensure it can properly and effectively carry out its statutory duties.

ALEXANDRIA, VA – The National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (NSSGA) President and CEO Michael Johnson issued the following statement opposing legislation that would suspend collection of the gas tax. NSSGA also circulated this letter on the issue to the Hill, voicing concern with proposals for the gas tax holiday. 

On behalf of the 400 members of the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association, I am writing to share our strong opposition to policies that would diminish revenue sources used to fund the Highway Trust Fund (HTF). Specifically, we call on Congress to reject S. 3609, which would suspend collection of the $00.184 -per-gallon federal user fee on gasoline. This funding is critical to support infrastructure projects which greatly benefit American families and businesses.

National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (“NSSGA”) respectfully submits its comments in the above-captioned proceeding in accordance with the Surface Transportation Board (“STB” or “Board”) Notice of Public Hearing (“Notice”) served on December 28, 2021.

NSSGA applauds Congress and the Biden Administration for diligently working to draft and advance IIJA, which provides almost $1 trillion to rebuild our infrastructure. We are proud to have been a partner in the work to complete this historic bill, as it will directly improve the lives of all Americans. The aggregates industry now stands ready to deliver the billions of tons of construction materials needed to build the roads, bridges, tunnels, rail, transit, ports, energy, water, broadband and every public works funded through IIJA.

On behalf of the over 400-members of the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (NSSGA), I am writing to express our opposition to H.R. 5805, the “Buffalo Tract Protection Act,” as it would permanently ban future aggregate production in areas of central New Mexico, severely limiting critical resources needed in the construction of infrastructure and public works projects for this growing region. H.R. 5805 would set bad policy by permanently banning aggregate production on tracts of federal land in central New Mexico.

On behalf of the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (NSSGA), I write to request an extension to the extremely short comment period for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s COVID-19 Vaccination and Testing Emergency Temporary Standard. The agency has only provided the public with 30 days to submit input. This is an extensive rulemaking, and stakeholders need more time to provide the agency with comprehensive comments. Additional time will allow the employer community to find issues or points of concern as they attempt to implement the ETS.

ALEXANDRIA, VA – The National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (NSSGA) President and CEO Michael Johnson issued the following statement as he attended the signing of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) at the White House this afternoon.

ALEXANDRIA, VA – The National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (NSSGA) President and CEO Michael Johnson issued the following statement regarding the House passage of the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act by a vote of 228-206.

“This is a monumental moment for our industry, and it has been greatly needed for quite some time. NSSGA appreciates the House of Representatives for passing this bill ahead of the next short-term extension deadline. 

ALEXANDRIA, VA – The National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (NSSGA) Vice President of Government and Regulatory Affairs Michele Stanley issued the following statement regarding the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announcement of an Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) that phases in a vaccine mandate for companies with over 100 employees.