Background: On July 22, 2024, U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (I-W.Va.) and John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) introduced the Energy Permitting Reform Act of 2024. The legislation seeks to limit lawsuits related to energy permitting decisions and shorten the energy permitting process. The bill comes at a critical time following the White House Council on Environmental Quality new requirements to the already complicated National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) permitting process. The fate of the bill remains uncertain with few legislative days left in this congress.
Twice a year the federal regulatory agencies release an updated “Unified Agenda” that describes and provides a timeline for their ongoing and future regulatory actions. The most recent agenda provides a glimpse of what the Biden Administration may focus on in the final months of that Administration, including finalizing greenhouse gas disclosures for federal contractors and reissuing nationwide permits for specific activities in/near waters of the United States. Read more for the highlights.
The Associated General Contractors (AGC) of America is excited to announce that we are now accepting proposals from speakers for our 2025 Annual Convention, taking place from April 8 – 10 in Columbus, Ohio. This premiere event is designed for industry leaders and professionals at various career stages from construction companies of all sizes to engage in collaborative learning, network with peers nationwide, and discover the latest in technology and innovation in the industry.
Apply by Thursday, October 31, 2024!
We are excited to announce the opening of the 2024 Diversity & Inclusion (D&I) Assessment, a resource designed exclusively for construction firms. This tool empowers companies to establish a baseline, measure progress, and celebrate successes in their D&I programs, policies, and practices.
The rule adds requirements to an already complicated permitting process and ignores permitting reforms previously passed by Congress.
You may recall, AGC of America filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) challenging the agency’s new final rule that designates two widely used per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) as hazardous substances under the Superfund law, or Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). This rule imposes significant financial and legal burdens on contractors and could lead to costly litigation and stricter waste disposal practices.
AGC has notched some big wins in the courts in the last year and hopes to carry that momentum with litigation to protect construction companies.
AGC recently released a new resource that provides contractors with tools to communicate effectively with project teams and successfully navigate the complexities of carbon reporting for a project. It describes a process for identifying accountability, what to track and report, and how to do so. Next steps? AGC has some options for you to learn more about the playbook and carbon reporting in general.
This week, AGC of America, in collaboration with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the National Waste Recycling Association, filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) challenging the agency’s new final rule that designates two widely used per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) as hazardous substances under the Superfund law (also known as Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (or CERCLA). This rule imposes significant financial and legal burdens on contractors and could lead to costly litigation and stricter waste disposal practices.