The Alexandria, Va.-based Associated General Contractors of America (AGCA) is asking U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez to intervene before what it calls a "dire" shortage of cement gets any worse.
"We urge the secretary to head off a crisis that could spread throughout the [U.S.] economy by concluding agreements with domestic cement producers to suspend the anti-dumping duty on Mexican cement," says Stephen E. Sandherr, AGCA's chief executive officer.
Cement shortages have been reported in Florida, Idaho, Missouri, Nevada, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Wyoming, and Washington.
"What makes these reports especially alarming is that they are coming at the beginning of the high-demand season for cement, making more severe problems are almost certain in the near future," says Sandherr.
