AGC is pleased to announce the appointment of nine new members to serve on its Environmental Forum Steering Committee through the AGC Convention in 2019. Members of the steering committee have direct access to federal regulatory officials, influence over AGC’s environmental agenda, and a means to exchange valuable information with one another and industry peers. AGC also acknowledges the invaluable contributions of those members who recently completed their terms on the steering committee.

Earlier this week, AGC hosted a day of roundtable discussions in Denver, Colo. that brought together environmental professionals who work for some of the nation’s leading construction firms. The group shared their best practices and strategies for incorporating environmental stewardship into their companies’ projects and overall business operations. A consistent theme throughout the discussions was the value in using every opportunity to get in front of the construction workforce and raise environmental awareness. Certainly there is no better opportunity than Earth Day, for AGC to share its multi-year collection of contractor ideas and tips on how to approach environmental issues: straight from one environmental manager to another.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is asking for public input on its proposed 2017 Construction General Permit, which authorizes stormwater discharge from construction sites. Although the Agency’s general permit directly applies in only a handful of states and territories, it serves as a national model for state-issued Construction General Permits. AGC needs your help in crafting comments on how the proposed permit will significantly impact construction operations and overall environmental management on regulated construction sites. Please provide any comments to Leah Pilconis at pilconisl@agc.org by May 6. AGC has prepared a discussion document to facilitate members’ input.

Possible Revisions Go Well Beyond Current Requirements

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) continues its efforts to implement a national electronic manifest system, as required by the Hazardous Waste Electronic Establishment Act (Act). Throughout 2016-2017, EPA expects to make significant progress on developing the e-Manifest system, which will be available nationwide to track hazardous waste shipments electronically. EPA recently launched a new e-Manifest listserv to allow stakeholders to share their input and expertise with the e-Manifest project team.

Today, March 30, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in the case U.S. Army Corps of Eng'rs v. Hawkes Co. Inc. This case has important implications for construction work that occurs in, or around, water or wetlands. The central question in the case is whether landowners and operators may “go to court” if they disagree with the federal government’s finding that “Waters of the United States” (WOTUS) are present on a particular site. Earlier this month, AGC joined with industry groups representing agriculture, mining, manufacturing, and petroleum and gas interests in filing a joint “friend-of-the-court (amicus) brief” with the Court in support of Hawkes’ lawsuit against the government.

Government Seeks To Pursue OSHA Violations Using Enhanced Environmental Penalties

AGC of America is proud to announce Skanska USA won the 2016 AGC/Alliant Build America environmental enhancement award for the West Riverfront Park Redevelopment project in Nashville, Tenn. In addition, several other winning projects included notable environmental attributes whether it was a green building, mitigation or sensitivity. You can read the program for the 2016 awards here.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently announced the availability of $26 million in grant funding to establish clean diesel projects aimed at reducing emissions from the nation's existing fleet of diesel engines. These grants are funded through the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) and give preference to fleets in areas with poor air quality. The deadline to submit a project proposal is Tuesday, April 26, 2016, at 4pm ET. EPA expects to make awards in the fall.

Nationwide Stay Remains in Effect This week, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit decided that the federal appellate court and not the district courts should resolve the pending legal disputes over the new “Waters of the U.S.” (WOTUS) rule. Importantly, for now, the nationwide stay of the rule remains in effect. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are using the prior regulatory definition of WOTUS and applicable guidance (status quo as it existed before the new rule) in making jurisdictional determinations or taking other actions based on the definition of WOTUS.