Industry News and Advocacy
Congress Returns, Approves Government Funding Until Dec. 11
Congress enacted in early September a short-term funding package that keeps federal construction and transportation programs operating through Dec. 11, 2026. On Sept. 1, the House passed a continuing resolution bill (H.R. 6500) by a 370-48 vote. The Senate approved the measure in August, with President Trump signing it Sept. 2, averting a government shutdown after FY 2026 ends Sept. 30. The package extends highway and transit authorities that otherwise would have lapsed.
The “clean” extension preserves core Highway Trust Fund programs and gives lawmakers time after the November midterms to finish a five-year successor to the 2021 bipartisan infrastructure law. Speaker Mike Johnson said he will push to complete that reauthorization before the 119th Congress ends in December, though Senate progress and tax-writing work remain unfinished. NUCA members should expect continuity on most formula programs, with further negotiations still needed on long-term funding before the session’s work concludes in mid-December.
House Bill Cuts Drinking Water SRF By 68 Percent
On Sept. 3, House Energy and Commerce Environment Subcommittee members examined a proposed bill that would slash authorized Drinking Water State Revolving Fund levels by 68 percent.
NUCA strongly objected to the proposal in the “Safe Drinking Water Infrastructure Improvement Act,” writing in their media statement, “Authorizing a 68 percent cut to the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund while communities face a 20-year, $1.2 trillion backlog in drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure needs is not fiscal discipline. It is deferred maintenance disguised as budget savings.”
For NUCA contractors building water systems, that proposal collides with documented need. EPA estimates $625 billion is required over 20 years for drinking water systems alone, while communities face a $1.2 trillion drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater backlog and roughly $90 billion in annual shortfalls. The Senate is advancing SRF authorizations rising to $4.5 billion annually by 2030, a sensible proposal strongly supported by NUCA. This legislation is only in the beginning stages, and NUCA is lobbying our Congressional supporters to remove this cut before any final bill is considered.
Report: Underground Utility Damage Costs America $83.2 Billion a Year
Damage to the utility lines beneath America’s feet costs the U.S. economy an eyewatering $83.2 billion every year—more than $227 million every day—according to a landmark report released Aug. 13 by the Common Ground Alliance (CGA). The estimate reported in the “Between the Lines: The True Cost of Damage to America’s Buried Utilities” report is nearly three times the widely cited $30 billion benchmark established in 2019. It reflects the rising number of damage incidents alongside the most comprehensive accounting of what happens after an underground power, gas, oil, communications, water or other critical utilities are struck.
The report’s most striking finding was that repairing damaged utility lines represented just 5.9% of the total economic impact. For every dollar spent on direct repairs, nearly $16 is lost to consequences such as business interruptions, construction delays, emergency response, road closures, injuries, property damage and community disruptions. For NUCA and our members, this report puts a number behind what our industry sees every day: preventing utility damage has an impact well beyond the jobsite.
Association News
Your NUCA membership delivers business benefits that will help your bottom line. Are you or your employees taking advantage of them?
Aaron Witt Confirmed As Convention Keynote Speaker! Summer Rate Registration Open
NUCA has big news to share with members about the upcoming NUCA 2027 National Convention! Keynote speaker Aaron Witt, founder of BuildWitt, takes our Convention stage with his powerful talk: “Field First: YOU Are the Solution.” Our industry faces a critical crossroads: massive infrastructure needs, an outgoing generation, and an incoming one still finding its footing. Leadership is nervous. Who steps up? Aaron has the answer. And after traveling across six continents, he’ll show you why it’s YOU. You’ll walk away with five simple, actionable ways to develop and retain the next generation and drive real results.
You won’t want to miss Aaron’s captivating presentation. Register now for NUCA’s 2027 National Convention at the Hilton Sandestin Beach Gold Resort & Spa, Miramar Beach, Florida, March 9-12, 2027. And stay tuned to NUCA for more details about our purpose-built sessions, networking with NUCA National Partners, new Convention events, and more! Register today at nucadigs.com.
NUCA Benefits: Discover additional NUCA membership benefits
Explore all the NUCA member-only savings and services available through your NUCA membership. From UPS to heavy freight shipments, to rental car discounts, office supplies, computers and GE appliances, visit your personalized NUCA benefits portal to see how your membership supports you every step of the way. Ask your employee benefits manager today to visit the NUCA membership portal at www.1800members.com/nuca.
NUCA Benefits: NUCA Careers website open for business
Find the skilled talent your construction business is seeking! NUCA Careers is now available to NUCA members to post free online 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. Visit nuca.com/careers for more information.
NUCA Benefit: Turnkey Housing for Construction Teams
NUCA members can now access exclusive, flexible housing through Blueground. Fully furnished units nationwide help construction teams with mobile workforces save money, cut administrative burden, and keep projects moving for stays of 30 days or more. Members receive 50% off upfront fees (cleaning, setup, and admin) on every booking, plus typical savings of 10–20% versus traditional corporate housing. Choose from more than 20 million units to fit any crew size or location. Manage all stays in one portal with consolidated billing, 24/7/365 support, and a dedicated account manager. With 16+ years supporting thousands of companies, Blueground is now a trusted partner for the utility construction industry. Go to promos.theblueground.com/nuca-members/.
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.
