Month: April 2021

Senate Republicans Reveal Streamlined Infrastructure Package.  In response to President Biden’s $2.25 billion infrastructure plan, Senate Republicans have unveiled a smaller five-year $568 billion package. The Republican framework would include:  · $299 billion for highways and bridges; · $61 billion for public transit; · $20 billion for rail, including Amtrak; · $35 billion for drinking water and wastewater; · $13 billion for safety programs at the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration; · $17 billion for ports and inland waterways; · $44 billion for airports; · $65 for broadband…

The Compressed Gas Association (CGA) announced the winners of our industry-leading safety awards during the CGA 2021 Annual Meeting. Held virtually on Wednesday, April 21, 2021, the Annual CGA Safety Awards Presentation recognized safety leaders from across the compressed gas industry in the U.S. and Canada. Our Association is dedicated to the development and promotion of safety standards and safe practices in the industrial, medical, and food gases industry. We’re proud to recognize the dedication to safety exhibited by the companies and individuals honored this year. Environmental Recognition Awards The Environmental Recognition Awards, sponsored by Messer North America, are presented…

The St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce announced their 2021 Small Business Award Winners. Central McGowan President/CEO Joe Francis was named Small Business Owner of the Year. The Chamber of Commerce said: “Since becoming President/CEO of Central McGowan in 2016, Francis has lead the company through a number of expansions and acquisitions. He has doubled the number of employees and diversified the business from industrial gasses to custom automation, robotics and dry ice. He is the Small Business Owner of the Year.”

According to the CGA: After many years of discussion between the Compressed Gas Association (CGA) and Health Canada, it was recently announced that common medical gases and medical gas mixtures in Canada will no longer require labeling with an expiration date. Specifically, Health Canada will no longer require medical gas manufacturers of the following gases and their medically appropriate mixtures to have expiration dating on their product labels: oxygen, helium, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, medical air, and nitrous oxide. Health Canada issued its Notice to Stakeholders: Expiration Dating for Medical Gases on March 23, 2021, to communicate the Department’s interim approach on the…

President Biden Announces $2 Trillion Infrastructure Plan.  Last week President Biden announced his “American Jobs Plan” to spend over $2 trillion in an eight-year period on infrastructure and other projects.  The plan, which has not been introduced in Congress or even reduced to actual legislative language, includes a number of proposals that Democrats have long sought. The plan includes a total increase of $115 billion to modernize the bridges, highways, roads, and streets that are in most critical need of repair. According to the White House, this includes funding to improve air quality, limit greenhouse gas emissions, and reduce congestion. …