Seventy-five pieces of construction equipment in the heart of Washington, D.C. offered an unparalleled opportunity to educate regulatory agencies on issues impacting our sector. AEM and our more than 40 participants took full advantage during the Celebration of Construction on the National Mall.
During the three-day event, AEM hosted a wide array of regulators and high-ranking administration officials to career staff from the agencies that directly impact the off-road equipment sector.
“Our goal was to establish long-term relationships with regulators,” said AEM Senior Vice President Curt Blades. “We want to be a trusted source of information and the positive-proactive engagement afforded by the Celebration of Construction on the National Mall planted AEM’s flag as go-to experts.”
Department of Labor Assistant Secretary for Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) Doug Parker and Assistant Secretary for Mine Safety & Health Administration (MSHA) Chris Williamson took part in tours to explore innovations in equipment technology that improve worker safety through automation, collision avoidance, and blind spot reduction. Furthermore, OSHA’s Directorate of Construction headquarters staff attended en masse to learn how equipment is designed to improve safety.
Cybersecurity was top of mind during tours with the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Deputy Director Nitin Natarajan and Deputy Executive Assistant Director Matt Hartman, as they saw firsthand the types of cyber systems on modern construction equipment. DHS’ Cyber & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) staff joined Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agents in visiting the exhibits, improving their ability to help protect our industry from cyber threats.
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Commissioners Brendan Carr and Nathan Simington learned about the connectivity needs of today’s worksites in addition to the tools and methods used to build out our nation’s broadband network.
Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Jennifer Granholm and Under Secretary for Science and Innovation Dr. Geri Richmond took in the many opportunities to see alternatively powered equipment, along with DOE staff specializing in this area.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) staff were on hand to discuss engine emissions technology and the substances used in the manufacturing of our products.
Department of Commerce (DOC) Deputy Secretary Don Graves and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Under Secretary for Rural Development Xochitl Torres Small, who is likely to be confirmed in the next month as the Secretary of Agriculture, also toured the exhibits.
“We can’t thank our members enough for making the investment to be here,” said AEM Vice President John Somers. Regulations have a tangible effect on our members’ bottom lines and the way their customers operate. Bringing an event like this to our nation's capital helps the development of sound policy.
For more information about getting involved in AEM’s regulatory efforts, contact AEM’s Nick Tindall at ntindall@aem.org.
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