In response to a federal Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) solicitation for comments on green jobs, AGC of America has submitted comments that ask the BLS to re-think its intentions, based on our belief that such a task is both beyond the scope of the Bureau's mission and impossible to complete accurately.

Last week, the California Air Resources Board admitted that its earlier estimates of the emissions from the off-road diesel equipment in California were too high, and in light of both its mistakes and the downturn in the economy, agreed to amend its costly off-road rule. This action followed AGC's release of its own study of such emissions, where AGC found that the Board's original estimates exceeded actual emissions by at least 350 percent.  AGC also found and announced that - in the absence of any off-road rule - the construction and other regulated industries will exceed the Board's goals for emissions of particulate matter (PM) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) through 2020 and 2025, respectively.How dramatically the Board will change the rule remains to be seen.  While it admitted to making a mistake, the Board maintained that it had overestimated emissions by no more than 100 percent, and did not make any specific commitments.  It did, however, agree to consider the following:Greater reliance on turnover to Tier IV equipment (which will not become available in the higher horsepower equipment until 2015) to improve air quality;While maintaining the structure of the current rule, streamlining its requirements;Providing some additional delay in the enforcement of the rule (which the Board has already agreed to stay until the U.S Environmental Protection Agency gives the Board the legal authority to enforce it);Reducing the retrofit, repower and replacement requirements that would otherwise take effect before 2015; andClassifying more vehicles as low use, and therefore exempt from the rule.The Board also sought to reassure the contractors that have already complied with the rule, indicating that it will give these contractors credit for anything they have already done to reduce their emissions.AGC of America and both of its California Chapters will continue to monitor the situation carefully.  AGC has already asked the Board to delay all of the requirements for retrofitting, repowering, replacing or retiring existing equipment until 2015, and to eliminate all of the requirements specifically for NOx.   At this point, it remains far from clear that the Board is willing to go that far.  On the other hand, AGC has yet to review or comment on ways that the Board estimated the size of its earlier mistake, or to hold any follow-up discussions with the decision makers.

Last week, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) admitted that its earlier estimates of the emissions from the off-road diesel equipment in California were too high, and in light of both its mistakes and the downturn in the economy, agreed to amend its costly off-road rule. 

U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman Jim Oberstar (D-Minn.) April 21 introduced the "America's Commitment to Clean Water Act" (H.R. 5088) to "clarify" federal jurisdiction over waters and wetlands under the Clean Water Act.  The bill would remove the term "navigable" from the Act and replace it with the phrase "waters of the United States." 

On April 22, AGC of America released a plan calling for market-based solutions, incentives and needed investments to deliver environmental improvements in our nation's infrastructure-buildings, transportation, water and land resources and power generation.

Gary Janco of member company CC Myers Inc. telling reporters about how CARB's new off-road diesel emissions rule is hurting his business, forcing layoffs. Emissions from California's construction and other off-road diesel equipment are less than 28 percent of what state officials have estimated, AGC announced on April 21. As a result, the California Air Resources Board has no scientific justification for sticking to a new rule requiring construction contractors to spend billions of dollars on their existing equipment.

Jon Cloud testified before EPA on California's proposed diesel retrofit rule. AGC member Jon Cloud testified before the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on April 14 to explain how California's plan to require construction contractors to install emissions reduction kits on their off-road diesel equipment will endanger workers and force job cuts. 

The nation's buildings and infrastructure will become more efficient, significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions and cutting energy consumption, according to a new green construction plan released Thursday by AGC. The plan outlines measures designed to stimulate demand for green construction projects, boost infrastructure capacity, and improve building efficiency and green construction practices.

Emissions from California's construction and other off-road diesel equipment are less than 28 percent of what state officials have estimated, AGC announced today. As a result, the California Air Resources Board has no scientific justification for sticking to a new rule requiring construction contractors to spend billions of dollars on their existing equipment.

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has scheduled a hearing for April 14 in Washington to consider the California Air Resources Board's (CARB) request for a waiver to allow it to begin enforcing its off-road diesel equipment rule. The rule was originally scheduled to go into effect on March 1, 2010 but EPA never granted approval to CARB to move ahead with enforcement. AGC is preparing expert witness testimony asking EPA to deny California's request.This EPA action follows closely on the heels of a public hearing held by CARB on March 11 on the question of whether the off-road regulations should be further modified to account for the down economy and subsequent emissions reductions. AGC presented CARB with substantial empirical data demonstrating that the downturn in California's economic conditions and the resulting drop in construction activity have made the rule unnecessary. AGC has pointed out that California's own inventory data makes clear that off-road equipment operators will be well under the state's aggressive diesel emissions limits for years to come without this rule.  AGC will make similar recommendations at the upcoming EPA hearing.Unless blocked, the CARB rule will require California's contractors to retrofit, repower, retire and/or replace much of their off-road equipment. The Federal Clean Air Act grants unique authority to California to adopt its own clean air rules, including an off road diesel emissions rule. Other states are prohibited from developing their own regulations but may adopt California's rules once EPA has approved them.  A study conducted by AGC shows that 32 states, including Arizona, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania and Texas, are poised to use the California requirements. Because of the impact on contractor's nationwide, AGC joined with the AGC of California and San Diego AGC Chapter in a collective effort to stop the rule or significantly modify it.