Browse by Date - 201404

The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to review a harmful decision from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, issued in April 2013 in Mingo Logan Coal Co. v. EPA, which says the Clean Water Act (CWA) grants the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) the “veto” power to withdraw a Section 404 dredge-and-fill permit several years after it has been duly issued by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) and relied upon by the permittee. 

Just how geographically broad should the federal government’s role be in regulating water pollution? The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have released a proposed rule that would amend the existing definition of “Waters of the United States,” as used in 12 sections of the Code of Federal Regulations,* affecting nearly as many different regulatory programs.  This term dictates exactly what waters fall under federal jurisdiction and triggers federal water quality limits, standards, permits, enforcement and other reviews.  The proposed rule would not only alter permitting programs under the Clean Water Act (CWA) -- regulating dredging, filling and stormwater discharges -- but also would also expand other regulatory obligations, such as the requirement to develop spill prevention, control and countermeasure (SPCC) plans (on the basis that a release of oil could reasonably discharge into jurisdictional waters) and the requirement to report hazardous substances releases.

The chief executive officer of the Associated General Contractors of America, Stephen E. Sandherr, issued the following statement in response to the Obama administration's release today of proposed surface transportation legislation that would provide an estimated $302 billion for highway, bridge and transit construction over a four-year period: "The administration's proposed transportation bill should accelerate debate and action on a new highway and transit bill before the current legislation expires at the end of September.

In response to a request for comments from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Veterans’ Employment and Training Service (VETS), AGC submitted comments regarding proposed changes to the employer reporting requirements for federal contractors as outlined by the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA).

Construction employment expanded in 197 metro areas, declined in 87 and was stagnant in 55 between March 2013 and March 2014, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released today by AGC of America.  Association officials noted, however, that construction employment stands to suffer if Congress allows federal highway funding to stop this summer.

Monday, May 5, 2014 | 2:00-3:00 pm EDT | www.HardhatsforHighways.org Hardhats for Highways invites you to attend a free webinar on Monday, May 5, 2014 from 2:00-3:00 pm EDT.  This webinar will discuss how you can get involved in the campaign, the tools available to help you be successful and real-life examples from a construction company on their Hardhats for Highways efforts. 

$3 Billion Cut to MILCON; More of the Same for VA On April 9, the House Appropriations Committee approved the fiscal year 2015 funding bill for Military Construction (Milcon) and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The bill roughly mirrors the president’s FY 2015 budget request for Milcon and VA construction accounts.

Voters in southwest Florida went to polling places on Tuesday to nominate major party candidates in the preliminary process to replace resigned Rep. Trey Radel (R).  The Ft. Myers anchored seat is safely Republican so last night's GOP primary is likely definitive in determining who will succeed the deposed Congressman.