The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is working on new programs to standardize the use of environmental product declarations (EPDs) and develop a low-carbon emission construction materials program as specified by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). EPDs provide data on the environmental attributes of a product and are a tool to support “buy clean” programs that mandate the use of low-carbon materials. Buy clean programs are new and untested. On May 1, AGC provided written feedback to EPA that urges a measured approach to reduce any negative impacts on the supply chain and encourages innovation. AGC highlighted the need to control the risks that arise when deviating from traditional roles and materials on projects, as well as, the importance of incentivizing markets while safeguarding materials’ performance.

Total construction spending increased by 0.3 percent in March as growth in manufacturing and education pulled up nonresidential construction spending for the month, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America today of new federal data. Association officials said the increases in construction demand were occurring during a time when most firms are struggling to find workers to hire.

AGC of America joined three other employer associations in filing an amicus brief at the U.S. Supreme Court on April 24, 2023, in a case addressing what language is needed in a notice to terminate a collective bargaining agreement (CBA) to satisfy the termination procedure in a CBA containing an “evergreen clause.”

Vehicle Allowance and Practices Survey Results Unveiled

AGC’s 2023 Construction HR & Workforce Conference will be held on November 6-8, 2022, at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta. The revamped event will feature keynotes focusing on the intersection of HR and workforce development. The program will feature a multi-track educational program that includes sessions focused on HR & training practices, while others will highlight workforce development strategies. Some sessions will cover both!

The Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP), after giving federal contractors and subcontractors several opportunities to submit objections, recently published EEO-1 data for contractors that “either affirmatively agreed to, or did not object to, the release of their EEO-1 data.” For contractors that have submitted objections, OFCCP is in the process of considering those objections and will make determinations as to whether the information provided must be disclosed or may be withheld under FOIA Exemption 4. In the event that OFCCP determines that a contractor’s EEO-1 data must be disclosed, OFCCP will provide the objecting contractor with written notice of its determination and a specified disclosure date, which will be set to occur at a reasonable time after the determination notice is issued.

The U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) recently announced the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) hiring benchmark for 2023. Effective March 31, 2023, the hiring benchmark will be 5.4 percent, slightly down from 5.5 percent in 2022. This benchmark is an annual goal for the percentage of hires who are veterans at each affirmative action plan (AAP) establishment.

Contractors Must Update Forms by July 25, 2023