The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed cost-saving amendments to clean-air rules for the Portland cement manufacturing industry that went final in 2010. Most notably, the proposal would give operators of cement manufacturing plants that use Portland kilns more time to meet the new 2010 requirements. It also would revise certain emissions limits and monitoring requirements that apply to those kilns, thereby providing more compliance flexibilities and options.
AGC is pleased to announce the appointment of six new members and the new chair, Connie Determan with Kiewit Corporation, to serve on its Environmental Forum Steering Committee through the AGC Convention 2015. 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.
In response to stakeholder concerns, the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) announced on June 4 the decision to delay until 2013 the member voting on the newest version of its Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) green building rating system—LEED 2012. USGBC also has renamed the LEED 2012 draft to LEED v4 and will initiate a LEED v4 beta test.
A new governmental review of green building rating systems will inform future decision-making on the system(s) to be used across the federal government. An interagency group is examining the Green Building Certification System Review and evaluating how these systems can advance the performance of federal buildings. The General Services Administration (GSA) will hold an online listening session on July 10 for the public to provide feedback to the review group.
AGC held its first-ever Contractors Environmental Conference on June 7-8, 2012, in the Washington, D.C. area. Approximately 100 participants learned from industry experts, peers and regulators the latest strategies for maintaining compliance, improving efficiencies, exploring new markets and being competitive in today’s environment.
The Senate began consideration of the Farm Bill and its amendments this week. Among those offered, Senator Barrasso (R-Wyo.) presented his AGC-backed legislation that halts forthcoming final guidance from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) describing their new jurisdictional determinations.
A policy rider that would bar the Army Corps of Engineers and the Environmental Protection Agency from implementing their guidance on Clean Water Act Jurisdiction survived an amendment offered by Rep. Jim Moran (D-Va.). The amendment would have stripped the provision out of the Energy and Water Appropriations bill. The Moran Amendment failed by a vote of 152-237. The original rider was introduced by Rep. Dennis Rehberg (R-Mont.) during the Committee markup and passed by a vote of 29-20. As an Appropriations rider, this provision is only able to de-fund implementation of the Guidance for one year.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is set to take action in the near term to tighten national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) for several pollutants, including nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, ozone and particulate matter. A nonattainment status under the Clean Air Act carries serious repercussions for construction in the area(s) so designated – including potential restriction on the use and operation of equipment, the loss of federal highway funding and the loss of economic development opportunities.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Corps of Engineers (Corps) are on the cusp of releasing guidance on how they interpret their jurisdiction under the Clean Water Act. AGC is part of the Waters Advocacy Coalition, which is putting on a webinar, free to AGC members and chapters, to describe the effect this will have on industry. Panelists will include industry experts who will discuss the practical implications of how the upcoming guidance will impact our nation’s agriculture, construction, energy, housing, manufacturing, mining, and real estate sectors.
Protect your company from hefty fines, project delays and loss of good reputation. Violations of environmental laws can skyrocket to $37,500 per day per violation. Hear from regulators and experts about the legal and other requirements impacting your jobsites at the 2012 AGC Contractors Environmental Conference, June 7-8 in Arlington, Va. Right across the river from your nation's capital!