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EPA to Phase Out Use of Older Standard for Phase I Assessments

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is accepting public comment on its proposal to eliminate the dual standard for compliance with the “All Appropriate Inquiries” (AAI) requirement under the federal Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA). Parties purchasing potentially contaminated property must undertake AAI into prior ownership and prior uses of the property at issue – prior to its purchase – in order to qualify for protection from CERCLA liability.  A copy of the proposed rule is available here.

Green Rating Systems and Standards Blossomed During Spring 2014

Learn More about Recent Developments with Green Construction Rating Systems and Standards Spring 2014 was a period of great activity in the development of green construction rating systems and standards.  Organizations issued new versions of prior standards and programs or debuted new programs altogether.  Below is a summary of a handful of these developments.  In addition, states and cities are adopting green communities and green streets programs such as multimodal urban street design programs, ecodistricts, and “complete streets” initiatives. 

Construction Employment Increases in 218 out of 339 Metro Areas Between May 2013 and 2014

Construction employment expanded in 218 metro areas, declined in 72 and was stagnant in 49 between May 2013 and May 2014, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released today by AGC of America. Association officials warned that job losses could spread to more metros unless policy makers in Washington quickly agree on providing new funding for the federal highway program.

Next Union Contractors Call to Take Place July 24

AGC of America’s Union Contractors Committee will hold its next quarterly conference call on Thursday, July 24, at 3:00 p.m. EDT.  The agenda includes reports on legal and labor relations developments since the last call and a roundtable discussion of activities of interest to union contractors.  The call is open to all AGC union contractors and chapter staff.  AGC membership is required, but Committee membership is not.  Chapter staff and leaders are encouraged to actively participate in the discussion and to come prepared to share information about local bargaining, jurisdictional disputes, and other matters, as well as any questions about labor concerns.

TAKE ACTION: Tell EPA How Their Rule Affects Your Business

Comment on Massive Expansion of Federal Jurisdiction in “Waters of the U.S.” Proposed Rule Earlier this year, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) released their notice of proposed rulemaking redefining “waters of the U.S.” under the Clean Water Act (CWA). This rule expansively defines waters - claiming traditionally navigable waters, tributaries (including ditches), impoundments, adjacent waters (including waters in the floodplain or riparian areas), and “other waters” all as federally jurisdictional. More projects will have to obtain Section 404 permits, increasing the time and cost of performing construction services. 

AGC Supported Legislation Reforming Workforce Development System Passes Senate

In a rare display of bipartisanship, the Senate overwhelmingly passed the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act by a vote of 95-3. This bipartisan legislation will streamline the workforce development system, giving states greater flexibility to address worker shortages and strengthening employer engagement. AGC urged Senators to support the bill and marked it as a key vote.

Supreme Court Victory in Challenge to NLRB "Recess Appointments"

Today, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled on a case challenging the validity of three “recess appointments” President Obama made to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) in January 2012.  The court ruled unanimously that President Obama violated the Recess Appointments Clause of the Constitution. The case was challenged with the help of the AGC-supported Coalition for a Democratic Workplace (CDW) and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The decision will affect the status of hundreds of cases that were deemed to have been decided by invalid board members of the NLRB.

Senate Finance Committee Delays Vote on Highway Trust Fund Patch

House Ways & Means Committee to Release Plans in Early July Today, the Senate Finance Committee had planned to hold a markup of Chairman Ron Wyden's (D-Ore.) $9 billion Highway Trust Fund patch.  However, at the request of ranking Republican member Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), Chairman Wyden suspended the markup to allow Republicans more time to develop alternatives to his proposal.  Republicans remained focused on finding spending cuts to offset the patch and would like more time to negotiate with Democrats to forge a bipartisan compromise.  The second part of the markup  may happen the week of July 7.

AGC Presents Its Newest Toolkit: Environmental Management Programs and Systems

Are you looking for a tool to help your company manage environmental requirements?  Check out the free resources on AGC’s EMS Toolkit. AGC now provides construction companies with a new online toolkit with resources for developing an environmental program or an environmental management system (EMS) that supports environmental compliance and the achievement of company objectives or environmental goals.

Set Up Meetings with Your Reps Next Week

Report Meetings and Share Pictures at www.HardhatsforHighways.org Your Senators and Representatives will be back working in your home districts next week, June 30 - July 1.  Please take this opportunity to set up meetings with your members of Congress to discuss the importance federal highway funding has on your company and your job.  Please continue to make contact with your Congressional offices by setting up in-person meetings and sending “e-Hardhat” letters. Encourage your employees to send “e-Hardhat” letters as well. 

AGC Financial Issues Forum Recap

Last week, nearly 40 member company CFOs and other senior accounting professionals attended the AGC Financial Issues Forum (FIF) Summer Meeting in Washington, D.C. Forum members were brought up to speed on the recently released Revenue Recognition Accounting Standard Update and had a tax discussion with Congressman James Renacci (R-Ohio), a CPA and member of the congressional tax-writing committee.

Key Results from Tuesday’s Primary Elections

While there were some big surprises in this week’s primaries and special elections, the biggest surprise was Sen. Thad Cochran’s (R) come-from-behind victory in the Mississippi run-off.  The battle over the Senate will be fought by a Republican Party that saw strong general election candidates win in all Senate primaries. Conservative groups spent millions to beat Republicans (for instance the Club for Growth spent almost $4 million against Republicans this year while spending less than $900,000 against Democrats) but had little impact on the election outcomes thus far. Check below for a state-by-state breakdown of the results.