On June 29, 2009, the United States Government Accountability Office (GAO) released its report, “Clean Water Infrastructure: A Variety of Issues Need to Be Considered when Designing a Clean Water Trust Fund.”  The long awaited report from the GAO acknowledges that our Nation faces tremendous challenges in replacing and rehabilitating our water infrastructure, with estimated needs between $400 and $600 billion over the next 20 years for safe drinking water and wastewater treatment infrastructure.      

On June 6, AGC's Chief Economist Ken Simonson gave a presentation to Washington, D.C.'s  Water and Sewer Authority (WASA) senior management.  WASA provides drinking water and wastewater services to 500,000 customers in the District of Columbia, and 1.6 million customers in Maryland and Virginia. In his presentation, Simonson discussed the outlook for construction markets and highlighted increasing unemployment and material price trends in the construction industry.AGC's Municipal &Utilities Division director Perry L. Fowler also participated in the WASA briefing and discussed current industry trends and regulatory issues impacting AGC contractors such as  American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) Buy American requirements and recent waivers issued by the EPA.  Former AGC of D.C. president and AGC national board member Dragan Stojanovic, Norair Engineering Corp., also attended the meeting.Simonson also spoke to the New York City Department of Environmental Protection at its Newtown Creek Water Pollution Control Plant on June 22. Both the Washington, D.C. and New York water agencies have multi-billion dollar construction plans and sought out AGC's chief economist for his take on the outlook for materials costs.If you know of a water or wastewater agency that would like to schedule a similar presentation for its senior management and estimating or engineering staff, please contact Perry Fowler at fowlerp@agc.org.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued a di minimus waiver from Buy America requirements contained in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.  This is the second Buy America waiver issued by EPA; the first national waiver applied to projects under contract before President Obama signed the ARRA.  This nationwide waiver can be applied to materials or components which constitute five percent or less of the total cost of materials incorporated into  a water infrastructure project funded by EPA's Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Loan ( SRF) programs funded by the ARRA. AGC's efforts were critical in educating the EPA about the complexity and components of typical water infrastructure projects, such as treatment plants or pipe replacement and rehabilitation projects. This waiver was deemed to be in the public interest  by the EPA in order to ensure ARRA-funded projects proceed within the timelines established in the legislation to provide jobs and infrastructure investments. AGC applauds EPA's action to avoid project delays and unnecessary liability for AGC members.To view a copy of the 6-page EPA document click here.For additional information contact Perry L. Fowler at fowlerp@agc.org or (703) 837-5321.

On June 10, 2009, the House Appropriations Interior & Environment Subcommittee approved it’s FY 2010 bill, which provides funding for the Department of the Interior and other agencies, including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. This bill delivers on the President’s requested budget of $3.9 billion for EPA’s Drinking Water and Clean Water State Revolving Fund (SRF) programs with an increase of approximately 250% from FY09 appropriations (excluding the $6 billion in ARRA stimulus funding).

On Monday June 6, 2009, AGC’s Chief Economist Ken Simonson gave a presentation to senior management including capital planning, design and program management staff at Washington, DC’s  Water and Sewer Authority (WASA).  WASA provides drinking water and wastewater services to 500,000 customers in the District of Columbia, and 1.6 million customers in Maryland and Virginia. In his presentation, Simonson discussed the outlook for construction markets and highlighted increasing unemployment and material price trends in the construction industry.

AGC of America applauds Contractors Association of West Virginia (CAWV) for its successful use of the Liquid Assets documentary to highlight state and local needs.  An article about CAWV's successful campaign is included in the March/April edition of West Virginia Construction News.For information about how you can use Liquid Assets to raise awareness in your community visit www.agc.org/liquidassets.If you would like to receive a copy of Liquid Assets or would like additional information, contact Perry Fowler at (703) 837-5321 or fowlerp@agc.org.

EPA is announcing new revised Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) allotments that will be provided to the states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, U.S. Territories, American Indian Tribes and Alaska Native Villages if the President's budget request for Fiscal Year 2010 is enacted.  These allotments reflect the results from EPA's most recent Drinking Water Infrastructure Needs Survey and Assessment, which was released on March 26, 2009. The revised allocation percentages affect DWSRF Program appropriations for the four years from Fiscal Years 2010 through 2013. Under these new allotments, each state will receive a minimum of 1% of the national funds available to states as required by Congress. The President's budget request for FY 2010 includes an increase in the minimum funding to be made available to American Indian and Alaska Native water systems from 1.5% to 2.0% of the total funding appropriated for the DWSRF. The President also requested an increase in the minimum funding to be made available to United States Territories from 0.33% to 1.5% of the total available.The goal of the DWSRF program is to provide states with a financing mechanism for ensuring safe drinking water to the public. States have used federal capitalization grant funds to establish loan programs from which assistance is provided to public water systems. Eligible infrastructure projects include upgrades of treatment facilities, eligible storage facilities and transmission and distribution systems. Projects to consolidate water supplies may also be eligible. Since the program began in 1997, states have provided nearly $14.6 billion in low interest loans for more than 6,000 projects. The second major purpose for which a state may use its capitalization grant is funding "set-asides."  States are allowed to reserve up to 31% of their capitalization grant for a variety of specific purposes designed to further public health protection under the SDWA. Examples of activities that can be funded through set-asides include: technical assistance to water systems, source water protection, operator certification and enhancing the ability of systems to operate successfully in the long term. Information about the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund program can be found at http://www.epa.gov/safewater/dwsrf.html

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued a di minimus waiver for Buy American requirements contained in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.  This is the second Buy American waiver issued by EPA; the first national waiver applied to projects eligible for re-financing, or projects which were awarded in anticipation of stimulus funding between October 1, 2008 and February 17, 2009. This nationwide waiver can be applied to materials or components which constitute five percent (5%) or less of the total cost of materials incorporated into a water infrastructure project funded by the ARRA through EPA's Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Loan (SRF) programs.  This waiver was deemed to be in the public interest by the EPA in order to ensure that ARRA-funded projects proceed within the timelines established in the legislation while meeting the ultimate goal of the stimulus' infrastructure component of creating and sustaining jobs and investing in our infrastructure.AGC's efforts were critical in educating the EPA about the complexity and components of typical water infrastructure projects, such as treatment plants or pipe replacement and rehabilitation projects.  AGC has been particularly concerned about Buy American requirements exposing members to unnecessary liability, particularly for smaller items which are not typically manufactured in the United States, such as some ductile iron pipe fittings, flanges, valves and other necessary items.To download a copy of the 6-page EPA document click here.For additional information contact Perry L. Fowler at fowlerp@agc.org or (703) 837-5321.

We are now accepting presentations for AGC's 91st Annual Convention. The convention will take place March 17-20, 2010 at the Marriott Orlando World Center in Orlando. The deadline for submitting presentations is June 18, 2009.We're looking for eager, knowledgeable and dynamic individuals and panels to submit proposals for consideration. We would encourage you to submit or to pass this information along to other people who you think would make great speakers.Don't miss your opportunity to participate at convention and to share your knowledge and experience with attendees. A limited number of speaking opportunities are available for presentations that focus on current and emerging issues, best practices or challenges facing the construction industry and/or construction executives.For more information: Download the Call for Presentations PDFAll inquiries and submissions should be sent electronically to the attention of Meri Woods, woodsm@agc.org.

Due to the changing landscape in federal contracting, it is more important than ever that contractors - those experienced in federal work or those looking to move into the this market - are aware of rule and regulation updates and the impact of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act on the federal contracting process.  This webinar series provides an overview of the existing process and walks attendees through the evolution of federal contracting.Two remaining webinars will take place on Thursdays June 4 and June 11 from 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM (ET). Please click the links below for more informationJune 4 - How to Handle Claims and DisputesJune 11 - The Recovery ActFor more information, contact Marco Giamberardino at (703) 837-5325 or giamberm@agc.org.