PLC Supporting Member Weekly Update Dec. 23, 2022
In this Issue:
Logger’s Voice Winter Edition – Now Available!
Book Rooms Now – PLC Annual Meeting 2023
PLC Store – Many items for sale
Safety Resources – Safety First!
Trucking – Latest news
Classified listings – Check them out!
Member Discounts – Many to choose from
Logging News – Latest headlines
Logger’s Voice Winter Edition Now Available!
The winter edition of The Logger’s Voice is now available!
Copies will be mailed out soon!
Save the Date and Reserve Rooms Now!
PLC Annual Meeting May 4-5 2023
It is not too early to start thinking about the 2023 PLC Annual Meeting and Log A Load Auction! The meeting will be held May 4-5 2023 at the Harborside Hotel in Bar Harbor. Rooms are already available to book so why not reserve a room now?
Click here to book a room or use: https://www.opalcollection.com/harborside/stay/
Group Code: MEPL050423
Steps to reserve a room at the Harborside Hotel:
- Click on Link (can also type in the group code)
- At the top of the web site modify the dates of your stay – 1 or 2 nights
- You will not be charged until the event and the resort fee will be waived
Questions? Email office@maineloggers.com
PLC Online Store
Looking for great PLC items and apparel? Gifts? First Aid packs, safety items and more? You will find them at the new PLC Online Store on our web site. Ordering is easy.
CHECK IT OUT HERE
Safety Resources
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CPR/First Aid/Bloodborne Pathogens certification: Did you know your employees are required to have this training every two years? If your employees need this training in 2022, contact Jessica at Jessica@maineloggers.com or 207-688-8195 and the PLC will schedule training in your area. THIS TRAINING IS FREE TO MEMBERS!
NEW Featured HumpDay Safety Video – Working Focused
Trucking
Last 3G Sunset Date Is December 31, 2022
Mobile carriers are shutting down their 3G networks, which may impact motor carriers if their ELDs rely on a 3G network. Read more about the 3G sunset.
The final announced 3G sunset date is December 31, 2022, when Verizon will complete the shutdown of its 3G network.
Any ELD that requires 3G cellular connectivity to perform its functionality will no longer be in compliance with the technical specifications in the ELD rule after the 3G network it relies on is sunset.
When in an area that does not support 3G, a 3G device will register a malfunction. In accordance with 49 CFR 395.34, the carrier has 8 days to get the malfunction resolved, in this case by replacement, unless an extension is granted.
Logging News
FRA Special Issue Update- 12/21/2022
Congress Set to Pass Funding Deal Carrying FRA Policy Priorities
The Senate is expected to vote as early as today on a $1.7 trillion Fiscal Year 2023 omnibus appropriations bill and then send it to the House for approval before current federal government funding expires on December 23. The bill, which totals over 4,500 pages, is the vehicle for a number of non-spending policy priorities, including two that are at the top of the list for the forest products value chain.
Biomass: The proposal reauthorizes the current directive that the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Environmental Protection Agency, and the U.S. Department of Energy recognize the carbon neutrality of forest-based biomass fuels and energy in any energy or environmental policymaking at the federal level. This appropriations “rider” has been a target of environmental groups that oppose combusting biomass for energy. In fact, for the last several appropriations cycles, attempts have been made to water down language in the rider to recognize only “carbon benefits” of biomass but ignore the fact that energy derived from biomass combustion is carbon neutral. Our champions in the Senate, led by Senator Susan Collins (R-ME), worked tirelessly to ensure that the existing biomass carbon neutrality directive remain unaltered and extended through the next fiscal year. FRA would like to thank Senator Collins for her stalwart leadership in this space.
Guestworker Visas: The package also extends the Secretary of Homeland Security’s authority to increase the number of H-2B visas permitted each year by about 65,000 visas. As part of this provision, the language around staggered crossings, the use of private wage surveys, and a 10-month season are also extended. While FRA continues to seek broader guestworker reform, we are pleased that guestworker visa cap relief is included in this deal.
Another item of note in the omnibus is that it includes provisions of the Growing Climate Solutions Act, a bipartisan bill that authorizes the USDA to register technical service providers to help farmers and forest landowners implement greenhouse gas mitigating/sequestration practices on their lands to generate credits in voluntary carbon markets. Incoming House Agriculture Committee Chairman Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA) negotiated a change to the proposal that precludes USDA from using its finance arm—the Commodity Credit Corporation—to implement or expand the program. FRA has been monitoring this legislation since it was introduced last year.
Study: Improved forestry could boost carbon storage in New England by nearly half a billion tons
A new study published in an international forestry journal finds that better forest management could significantly grow New England’s carbon storage, improve wildlife habitat and provide a reliable timber supply.
Register: Upcoming Wage & Hour Compliance Classes
Dear Employer,
Labor laws can be complex – join the Maine Department of Labor for a Wage and Hour Compliance Assistance class!
This course is designed for human resource or benefits professionals, accountants, business owners, managers, or payroll supervisors. It will cover wage and hour laws, including minimum wage, overtime, youth employment, severance pay, equal pay, rest breaks, and paid or unpaid leave requirements. It will also address commonly asked labor-related questions.
Upcoming classes – choose whichever date and location works best for you:
- January 18, 2023 from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the Tri-County CareerCenter, 45 Oak Street, Suite 3, Bangor
- January 25, 2023 from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the SafetyWorks! Training Institute, 45 Commerce Drive, Augusta
- February 1, 2023 from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the Rockland CareerCenter, 91 Camden Street, Suite 201, Rockland
- February 8, 2023 from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the Portland CareerCenter, 151 Jetport Blvd, Portland
- February 15, 2023 from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the Presque Isle CareerCenter, 66 Spruce Street, Suite 1, Presque Isle
Register and browse more classes here: https://www.safetyworksmaine.gov/training/scheduled_classes/register.shtml
If you have questions about Wage and Hour compliance, please reach out to the Wage and Hour Division at 207-623-7900 or bls.mdol@maine.gov, or visit www.maine.gov/labor/bls/.
Member Discounts
TRUCKING DISCOUNTS THROUGH THE ALC!
PLC Members, because the PLC is a member of the American Loggers Council YOU are entitled to special discounts on truck purchases! Click on the brand names below to learn more!
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Fabian Oil Discount
Traction Heavy Duty Special
Wallingford’s Discounts
Maine Trailer Discounts
PLC Members get a 5% discount on culverts purchased at Treeline and Frank Martin & Sons
Hale Trailer discounts for PLC Members on new trailer purchases! Call Neal at 207-232-7969 for details!
Cross Arena Discounts for PLC!
Classifieds
PLC Classified Section
Check out the equipment and job opportunities our members have listed at the LOGGING ZONE! If you have equipment for sale, are looking to buy, are looking for employees, or
Preferred Supporting Members
Enhanced Supporting Members
