Members and chapters encouraged to apply: deadline is 10/31. AGC of America is proud to announce the launch of the 2015 AGC/Alliant Build America and the AGC in the Community competitions.  AGC encourages all member companies in good standing who meet the competition requirements to apply.  With several categories and types of projects from which to choose, including an environmental category, we hope there is a “right fit” for one of your projects. 

Last Chance to Comment on Contractor Survey The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is awaiting final approval from the White House to survey general contractors regarding their recent renovation, repair and painting (RRP) activities in public- and private-sector commercial buildings.  More data is needed on whether or not RRP activities in buildings expose the public to lead-based paint (LBP) dust. If EPA determines such activities create LBP “hazards,” the agency will write additional rules that will apply to building contractors.

A newly proposed rule by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) would give the agency the authority to cut into the paychecks of those who owe it a debt, such as a fine or penalty for an alleged environmental violation.  EPA would be allowed to garnish up to 15 percent of the “disposable pay” of delinquent debtors who do not work for the federal government via a process known as administrative wage garnishment – all without a court order.

Quickly and easily prepare and communicate your stormwater inspection and corrective action reports right from an iPad with AGC’s new “Stormwater App.”  Spend less time managing paperwork and more time being productive. Your first 10 stormwater reports are FREE. Just click here from your iPad or visit the app store on iTunes and search “Stormwater” to download the free trial. Additional reports are just $.99 each.

On July 16, following a hearing on EPA’s expanded Clean Water Act Permit veto authority, the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee held a markup to move several bills to the full House. Among them were three AGC-supported pieces of legislation designed to improve the process for Clean Water Act permits and the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) overall regulatory process. These bills included the Regulatory Certainty Act of 2014, designed to define a clear window for EPA to exercise its veto authority under section 404(c) of the Clean Water Act. This would address the issue of retroactive vetoes of the permit years after construction had begun as well as preemptive vetoes, removing large swaths of land from development before a permit has even been requested. The measure was introduced by Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee Chair Rep. Bob Gibbs (R-Ohio).

On July 15, the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment held a hearing to explore the expanded view of authority that the courts have affirmed for EPA under section 404 (c) of the Clean Water Act. AGC’s Senior Environmental Advisor, Leah Pilconis was on hand to testify.

On June 23, 2014, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down elements of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) regulations of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from stationary sources or facilities.  The decision comes while EPA is accepting comments on proposed rules to restrict GHG emissions from power plants.

AGC recently commented on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposed “Framework” for  identifying, evaluating, and regulating lead-based paint (LBP) hazards from renovation, repair and painting activities in public and commercial (P&C) buildings.  This proposed framework relies on a scenario-specific approach for determining when such renovations create adverse health impacts.  EPA is also currently looking for scientific experts to peer review its draft “Technical Document,” which will outline the results of the modeled renovation scenarios, including the data sources and incremental health effects associated with any lead exposure.  AGC continues to press EPA to document a problem and all potential costs before taking any action to expand the controversial Lead Safe Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) rule. 

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is accepting public comment on its proposal to eliminate the dual standard for compliance with the “All Appropriate Inquiries” (AAI) requirement under the federal Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA). Parties purchasing potentially contaminated property must undertake AAI into prior ownership and prior uses of the property at issue – prior to its purchase – in order to qualify for protection from CERCLA liability. A copy of the proposed rule is available here.

Learn More about Recent Developments with Green Construction Rating Systems and Standards Spring 2014 was a period of great activity in the development of green construction rating systems and standards.  Organizations issued new versions of prior standards and programs or debuted new programs altogether.  Below is a summary of a handful of these developments.  In addition, states and cities are adopting green communities and green streets programs such as multimodal urban street design programs, ecodistricts, and “complete streets” initiatives.