The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Jan. 22 finalized tighter air quality standards for nitrogen dioxide (NO2) gas. The revision marks the first time EPA has updated the national ambient air quality standard (NAAQS) for NO2 in nearly four decades. Significantly, EPA also chose to set new, first-time requirements calling on states to monitor and measure NO2 levels near major roads, despite AGC's objections.

The author of a new publication has requested AGC to assemble a small peer group to review the nearly completed text of a new publication on pre-construction activities associated with green building projects.  The book explores how the green elements of a project may impact estimating, contracts, scheduling and other pre-construction decisions and activities.

AGC is looking for member materials to enrich the Building to LEED: Overview and the Impact on Construction Practices full-day course curriculum, which is undergoing revisions to reflect the newest version of the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System for New Construction.  AGC will credit members that submit photographs, helpful hints or short case studies that illustrate the contractor's role in achieving specific prerequisites and credits in the rating system.

Prepare now for first-time nationwide numeric discharge limits and monitoring requirements.  These new limits strictly enforce the amount of sediment allowed to run off any construction site disturbing 10 or more acres of land at any one time (whether contiguous or not).  This new rule, issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in December 2009, also specifies the exact types of erosion and sediment controls that contractors must use, at a bare minimum, to control stormwater runoff on all construction sites that disturb one or more acres of land.   To find out what this means for contractors - sign up for AGC's March 2 webinar, 1:30 -3:00 pm ET.

AGC is working with EPA, the Federal Highway Administration, Construction Materials Recycling Association and other organizations on a one-day workshop that explores green construction approaches. 

Citing new data showing California's emissions from off-road diesel equipment are below air quality targets for years to come, AGC called on state officials to immediately order at least a two-year delay of its new off-road "diesel retrofit" rule in an emergency petition filed January 11.  The delay is needed to avoid unnecessary losses and layoffs within the state's hard hit construction industry while the California Air Resources Board (CARB) continues to review the recently adopted engine emission standards that will force construction companies in California to retrofit or replace almost all of their heavy construction equipment that is currently in the field.

AGC responded to EPA's proposed rule to tighten the air quality standards for ground-level ozone this week in Engineering News-Record and AGC's Environmental Observer, and noted that the rule has resulted in restrictions on the operations of construction equipment around the country.

Citing new state data showing California's off-road diesel equipment operators will be well below new emissions targets for years to come, AGC called on state officials to immediately order at least a two-year delay for their new off-road "diesel retrofit" rule  in an emergency petition filed Monday. The delay is needed to avoid unnecessary losses and layoffs within the state's hard hit construction industry while the California Air Resources Board continues to review its diesel rules.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Jan. 7 proposed to tighten the air quality standards for ground-level ozone issued in 2008 by the Bush administration and to set a separate secondary standard.  According to agency estimates, the costs of implementing the proposal range from $19 billion to $90 billion.  A final rule is expected by Aug. 31.

On December 23, AGC submitted comments on an EPA proposed "tailoring rule" that would change the thresholds specific to greenhouse gas emissions as they would apply to two stationary source permitting programs under the Clean Air Act: (1) new construction and major modification permits and (2) operating permits.