Owners and operators of stationary Reciprocating Internal Combustion Engines must meet new national emission standards and operating limits by the May 2013 compliance deadline set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). There also is an “Initial Notification” requirement currently in effect for certain engine horsepower ranges – Sample Initial Notification- Compression Ignition.  AGC recently produced a fact sheet (that was reviewed and approved by EPA Headquarters) that details the steps you need to take to meet federal requirements and avoid penalties – click here.

On March 1, the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) will make available the most recent draft of its 2012 Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) green building rating system (LEED 2012) for public review and comment until March 20.  The 2012 revisions encompass the rating systems used during new construction (BD+C), interiors (ID+C), existing buildings (O+M), homes and neighborhood development (ND).

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has now finalized its 2012 construction general permit (CGP), which applies to and authorizes stormwater discharges from construction projects that disturb one or more acres of land in the areas where EPA is the permitting authority.

Be aware that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) remains committed to developing a first-time, nationwide numeric turbidity limitation for active construction sites. EPA has asked the public for feedback on issues related to collecting stormwater samples in the field and analyzing monitoring data.  EPA also is looking for more information on the performance of stormwater treatment technologies, in general.

Join AGC at its first national conference on environmental issues that affect construction professionals on June 7-8, 2012 in Arlington, Virginia, just across the river from our nation's capital. Recognizing today's tough and competitive economic environment in the vertical and horizontal construction markets, the 2012 AGC Contractors Environmental Conference will provide educational sessions, discussions, networking opportunities and technology demonstrations with a specific focus on how to generate profits, gain efficiencies, save money and manage risks.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has made available three guides and related materials on the handling and disposal of waste that may contain polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB), asbestos or mercury (specifically fluorescent lamps).

Each year AGC seeks nominations for qualified and motivated individuals from the AGC Environmental Forum to serve on the Steering Committee for the forum.  Would you like to play a leadership role in AGC of America’s environmental advocacy, education and outreach efforts?

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently launched a compliance assistance website to help owners and operators of stationary Reciprocating Internal Combustion Engines (RICE) meet new national emission standards and operating limits by the May 2013 compliance deadline.  Be aware that an “Initial Notification” requirement is currently in effect for certain engine horsepower ranges - Sample Initial Notification- Compression Ignition.   

The reissuance of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Construction General Permit (CGP) for stormwater discharges – due out by Feb. 15, 2012 – will not include a numeric turbidity limit or associated monitoring and reporting requirements, according to latest reports. Instead, EPA is seeking more industry data to correct an error that resulted in a faulty turbidity limit established in the 2009 “Effluent Limitation Guidelines” for the “Construction Development Industry” (C&D ELG) rule.  EPA will need many more months to gather better data, propose a correction rule for public comment and then take final action on a revised limitation.

A California court recently struck down the numeric effluent limits (NEL) on turbidity and pH in the statewide General Permit for Stormwater Discharges Associated with Construction and Land Disturbance Activities (CGP). The Sacramento County Superior Court found that the California State Water Resources Control Board (Board) developed technology-based effluent limits (TBEL) – also called numeric effluent limits or NEL –without adherence to the factors outlined in the Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 304(b). The CGP limits are now invalid and unenforceable.