Building owners and managers can now track their waste generation and management, as well as their energy and water use with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Energy Star Portfolio Manager, which is a benchmarking and tracking tool.

On Aug. 26, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) quietly released a proposal to clarify when facilities will need to set controls for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in order to obtain necessary air permits prior to construction or major upgrades and even to be operated. AGC is reviewing the proposal and plans to submit its comments by the Dec. 2 deadline.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently revised its uniform guidance for EPA-credentialed inspectors who monitor compliance with the federal Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) rule. For the regulated community, EPA has taken steps to bring many aspects of the firm certification and individual renovator training/certification processes online, seemingly to streamline compliance with the rule. EPA also regularly updates its online collection of Frequent Questions on the Lead Program to clarify requirements for industry, including specific work practices that renovators must follow. This article recaps recent developments related to the implementation and enforcement of EPA’s Lead RRP rule.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published a final rule on October 3 to make it easier to exclude tainted data from the agency’s future assessments of compliance or non-compliance with its National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). EPA also finalized guidance for states seeking to demonstrate that a wildfire event affected monitored ozone concentrations. This package of documents could be critical for states looking for all possible options to help them attain EPA’s tighter ozone NAAQS issued in October 2015.

Join AGC in becoming recognized supporters of the great environmental compliance and green construction resources available online at the Construction Industry Compliance Assistance (CICA) Center. AGC worked with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to develop this popular (free) resource more than a decade ago; and it boasts 14,000 visits a month. When federal budget cuts slashed funding for industry compliance assistance initiatives, AGC quickly stepped up to keep the CICA Center online and current. AGC now seeks to establish a long-term funding program to sustain the CICA Center’s future in 2017 and beyond. We hope you’ll join us through our new annual CICA Center Supporter Program.

Also New Proposed Policy to ‘Mitigate’ Construction Impacts to Federally-Listed Species

AGC Shares Concerns Regarding Agency’s Approach to Flood Risk Management

Pursuant to a legal settlement agreement with environmental groups, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has started to map out a brand new rule that will expand the existing Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasure (SPCC) program beyond oil to address other hazardous substances. This rulemaking, which must be finalized by late 2019 under the terms of the consent decree, may impact construction sites and related operations that store any of the hundreds of “hazardous substances” identified in 40 CFR Part 116.4. Some companies may need to develop SPCC plans for the first time. EPA has invited AGC to provide early input at upcoming public stakeholder sessions, which include two virtual meetings this fall.

Mike Clancy, Cynthia Paul, FMI Corporation Contractors’ get work departments can be like a car with a bad alignment. While everyone is working hard to get where they want to go, some of the effort is being pulled toward the “ditch” of low hit rates, missed opportunities and undeveloped client relationships. All that is needed are a few key adjustments to win your fair share of work.

AGC and the International Erosion Control Association recently teamed up to bring stormwater compliance experts and technical assistance to both of their upcoming conferences. AGC’s senior environmental advisor will speak at the Mid-Atlantic Chapter IECA’s Annual Conference – Sept. 20-22 in Annapolis, MD – on what the construction industry views as the most significant changes to the federal stormwater permitting and enforcement programs. IECA’s award-winning speakers will present at AGC’s Contractors Environmental Conference – Oct. 5-6 in Washington, DC – on process water and how to test and manage these waste streams.