Adapted with permission from Environment Reporter, 47 ER 1933 (June 24, 2016). Copyright 2016 by The Bureau of National Affairs, Inc. (800-372-1033) <http://www.bna.com> A programmatic biological opinion recently signed by the federal transportation agencies and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) completes a novel process to address potential transportation project impacts to two endangered bat species. It will streamline the consultation process for common surface transportation projects and improve conservation for the two bat species across 37 states and the District of Columbia, according to federal officials.

Contractor ‘Generators’ Would Face Pass-Through Costs

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OSHA, EPA and FWS Finalize New Maximum Civil Penalties

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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Resource Conservation and Recovery recently released two documents to support the beneficial use of industrial non-hazardous secondary materials-a methodology for evaluating beneficial use and a compendium of resources. These documents are part of an ongoing EPA effort to provide resources on evaluating beneficial use following the issuance of its rule on the disposal of coal combustion residuals (CCR), including fly ash (see related Observer article, Jan. 2015).

On June 22, 2016, President Obama signed into law the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act, providing significant new authority for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to govern both new and existing chemicals. This bipartisan effort amends the 40-year old Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), and marks the first major update to an environmental statute in 20 years.

***See also, AGC’s Resilience Series Part 2: Preparing Buildings for the Next Natural Disaster***

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On May 25, the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Council issued a proposed rule that would require some federal contractors to indicate whether they publicly disclose greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and reduction goals or targets. Comments are due by July 25, and AGC is reviewing the proposed rule to assess implications for general contractors.