Industry News and Advocacy
WRDA 2026 Introduced, Senate Version Includes SRF Reauthorizations
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee released the bipartisan Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2026 on June 26. Strongly supported by NUCA, the bill authorizes 131 studies and 10 new construction projects for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
After a two-week delay, the full committee passed the legislation on July 14 and sent it to the House floor. On the same day, the Senate introduced its WRDA version, which reauthorizes key State Revolving Funds at these levels for the next five years: Drinking Water SRF at escalating levels up to $4.5 billion by FY2030, $100 million annually for the Lead in Drinking Water Grant Program, Clean Water SRF at $3.5 billion per year through 2030, and WIFIA at $65 million.
Workforce Pell Grants Launched July 1
Effective July 1, the new Workforce Pell Grants program, championed by NUCA for a decade, expands federal Pell eligibility to high-quality, short-term construction training programs for the first time. Enabled by the NUCA-supported 2025 “Working Families Tax Cuts Act,” students in trade school programs can now use Pell Grants for 8- to 15-week certificate programs in welding, heavy equipment operation, pipeline construction, carpentry, and other skilled trades. This program will help utility contractors address the industry’s persistent workforce shortage. Our members’ advocacy efforts over several Washington Summits helped make this law become a reality.
Earmarks Eroding State Revolving Funds for Water Infrastructure
A new Environmental Policy Innovation Center (EPIC) analysis warns that congressional earmarks are draining State Revolving Fund (SRF) resources. Titled “Revolving No More: How Earmarks Are Draining America’s Water Funds,” the report projects a $19.4 billion net loss in water infrastructure financing over the next 20 years—equivalent to roughly 5,700 projects. Because SRFs are revolving loan programs, shifting funds to earmarked grants reduces future lending capacity and creates compounding losses for most states. NUCA and EPIC recommend funding earmarks via separate appropriations, prioritizing loans over grants, deducting them from state allotments, and conducting regular impact reviews. The report can be found at policyinnovation.org.
Association News
Your NUCA membership delivers business benefits that will help your bottom line. Are you or your employees taking advantage of them?
Safety & Damage Prevention Conference: Registration Now Open, Sept. 15-18
Don’t miss your chance to join the industry’s top safety professionals at the NUCA Safety & Damage Prevention Conference, September 15-18, 2026, at the iconic Brown Hotel in Louisville, Kentucky.
Immerse yourself in three powerful days of timely discussions designed to tackle the real challenges facing utility construction today. The agenda features critical sessions on transportation accidents, risk management, mental health in the workplace, the latest OSHA updates, emergency preparedness, rethinking trench safety (presented with NUCA National Partner United Rentals), a compelling panel on drugs in the industry, and a fresh 811 update.
This year’s conference shines a spotlight on the most pressing safety and damage prevention issues impacting our industry. You’ll gain actionable insights, practical strategies, and fresh ideas to strengthen safety practices and reduce incidents back at your company. Connect and recharge during two dynamic networking events, including the prestigious STAR Award presentation. Whether you’re looking to stay ahead of regulations, protect your team, or drive real improvement in damage prevention, this is the must-attend event of the year. Register today at nuca.com/safety-damage-prevention-conference/ and secure your spot in Louisville!
NUCA Careers Website Now Open For Business
Find the skilled talent your construction business is seeking! NUCA Careers is now available to NUCA members to post online free job ads and connect with qualified professionals interested in careers in the utility construction industry. With NUCA Careers, you will reach a targeted audience, promote your company’s opportunities, increase visibility for your job openings, and recruit the skilled talent you are seeking. Added bonus: Unlimited free jobs postings for active NUCA members. This is another valuable NUCA member benefit that supports our industry’s workforce recruitment and retention. Go to nuca.com/careers for more information.
NUCA Benefits: The expanded NUCA Advantage member benefits program
Your NUCA membership investment can deliver benefits far in excess of its cost — but only if you ask your human resources office to explore what it offers. Start by forwarding this document to them and ask them to check out NUCA Advantage. Our online portal leads to expanded health care benefits options for your company, as well as payroll, wellness, compliance, benefits administration, 401K programs, online training, OSHA logs and a wealth of free HR benefits available only to NUCA members. Find our expanded NUCA Advantage benefits program at www.NUCAAdvantage.com.
Toolbox Talks: It’s never been easier to promote safety to your employees
Toolbox Talks are for NUCA and industry members to use and distribute to their employees to assist them in promoting safety in the workplace. Toolbox Talks reinforce company safety rules, warn of dangerous conditions and describe safe workplace procedures. While these toolbox talks are not a substitute for training, they are designed to reinforce training and remind employees of the many hazards and safe working procedures on the jobsite. Each of these Toolbox Talks can be downloaded as a PDF, and many are available in both English and Spanish languages. Go to NUCA.com/toolbox-talks and browse the wealth of safety knowledge available to NUCA members.
