News

Browse by Date - 201410

EPA Increases Public Access to Chemical Information

Agency Seeks Input on Improvements The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently updated ChemView, an online tool to find information about nearly 10,000 chemicals regulated under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). AGC members have reported that it is sometimes difficult to find useful information on chemicals used in construction – this new resource may assist contractors in evaluating chemicals and their potential hazards, as well as making more informed choices about the products they use on the job site. In addition, there are numerous green building rating systems that now “give points” for avoiding the use of certain chemicals.

AGC Webinar: Critical Stormwater Compliance Information: Find Out What's Headed to Your State

Registration is now open for an AGC Federal Stormwater Update webinar on Dec. 15, 2014, from 2:00pm-3:30pm.  The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sets construction site stormwater requirements for the entire country.  Hear straight from agency staff what contractors need to do to stay in compliance and what you can expect down the road.  Get the latest on the rules, tools, and technologies headed to your state.  We will also discuss what industry experts are seeing “in-the-field” as well as the dos and don’ts to meeting stormwater permit requirements. Click here to register now.

Join Us for the 2015 AGC Annual Convention: Business Suit Optional

Early Registration Deadline Approaching No one knows the future, but gaining a comprehensive view of where you are, where you are going and where you need to be can only strengthen the educated decisions construction professionals have to make everyday. Tuesday, Nov. 4 is the early registration deadline for the 2015 AGC Annual Convention, March 18-20 in San Juan, PR. Save $150.00 off standard registration rates, register today!

EPA’s Lead-Paint Certifications Up For Renewal in 2015

Get Started At Least 90 Days Before Your Current Approval Expires! It is time to start thinking about renewing your U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting (LRRP) program certifications. Any construction firm – or you/your employees – are subject to this rule if you perform work for compensation that disturbs lead-based paint in homes, child-care facilities or schools (with kids six years or younger) built before 1978.  Remember that renovation firm and renovator certifications both expire every five years. EPA is encouraging contractors to show that they are an “EPA Lead-Safe Certified Firm” by displaying the agency’s new logo.  Under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), EPA may file an enforcement action against violators of the LRRP rule seeking penalties of up to $37,500 per violation, per day.

Construction Employment Increases in 236 out of 339 Metro Areas between Sept. 2013 and 2014

Construction employment expanded in 236 metro areas, declined in 53 and was stagnant in 50 between September 2013 and September 2014, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released today by AGC of America. Association officials said that as firms expand their payrolls, many are finding a limited supply of available qualified workers.

Major Newspapers Call for Gas Tax Increase- You Should Join the Chorus

Several National newspapers over the past few weeks have noted the recent decline in gasoline prices and suggested that now is the time to raise the federal gasoline tax to address transportation infrastructure needs. On October 19 USA Today join the chorus and said raise the gas tax now while its painless and will not be noticed by commuters. The paper pointed out that since the gas tax was last increased in 1993, it has lost half its purchasing value.  Bloomberg  and the Washington Post also chimed in endorsing the increase. The Post said that Congress should take this action during the lame duck session following a the Midterm elections on November 4 and not wait until the current patch runs out in May. Several US Senators including Boxer (D-Cal), Corker (R-Tenn) and Carper (D-Del) have been making public statements calling for Congress to provide the revenue to address a long term transportation reauthorization in the lame duck.

AGC Participates in DOT DBE Meeting

AGC was invited to participate in a stakeholders meeting this week called by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to look into questions about the effectiveness of the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program. The meeting was held in response to a DOT Office of Inspector General’s (OIG) report critical of the success of the program over its 30-year history. The OIG report said state DOTs, which are charged with administering the program, are focused on certifying firms for inclusion in the program, but not their success once in the program. OIG noted that only a small percentage of the certified firms actually participate and that those few firms have been in the program for ten years or more. DOT was interested in hearing from stakeholders about how this outcome could be improved.

Eighty-three Percent of Construction Firms Report Having Trouble Finding Qualified Workers to Meet Growing Demand for Construction Services

Most construction firms report they are having trouble finding qualified craft workers to fill key spots as the industry recovers from its years-long downturn, according to the results of an industry-wide survey released today by AGC of America. Association officials called for new career and technical school programs, as well as other workforce measures to offset the labor shortages.

Construction Employment Increased in 39 States During the Past Year, 34 States and D.C. Add Jobs Between August and September

Construction firms added jobs in 39 states between September 2013 and September 2014 while construction employment increased in 34 states and the District of Columbia between August and September, according to an analysis today of Labor Department data by AGC of America. 

Takeaway Lessons from AGC Webinar on Design Delegation

Risk is potentially bad, but also a potential opportunity for your business to grow and prosper. Constructors/General Contractors increasing role in performing design delegation and shared design is such an opportunity.  AGC recently presented a webinar (available in the AGC Store here) that provided participants with many great takeaways and a closer look at how parameters of design must be delegated clearly in all contracts.

Veteran Recruiting Best Practices for Construction Employers; Webinar Recording Available

It is a reality. For construction employers, a workforce shortage is just around the corner and with many returning veterans and military spouses seeking employment, making a connection is a win for all. As part of the construction industry’s effort to hire 100,000 veterans over the next five years, the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation presented a 60-minute webinar on Hiring Our Heroes: Best Practices for Construction Employers. Led by seasoned veteran recruitment experts, this webinar provided construction industry employers with the insight necessary to find, recruit, and hire returning veterans and military spouses.

Time is Running Out – Register for the AGC/CFMA Construction Financial Management Conference

Nov. 5-7, 2014 | Las Vegas. Nev.  Jointly sponsored by the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) and the Construction Financial Management Association (CFMA), the AGC/CFMA Construction Financial Management Conference, held Nov. 5-7, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nev., was developed in response to a need for programs and workshops designed specifically for financial professionals in the construction industry. The three-day conference is filled with 36 interactive sessions, covering the latest industry issues and their financial implications. Sessions are delivered “group-live” and are at intermediate, overview and update program levels. There are no prerequisites or advanced preparation required. Information about the conference can be found at meetings.agc.org/agc_cfma