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Climate EO Orders Pause on New Oil and Natural Gas Leases

As part of his approach to addressing climate change, President Biden signed an executive order that directs a pause on entering into new oil and natural gas leases on public lands or offshore waters, as well as a rigorous review of existing leasing and permitting practices related to fossil fuel development and doubling renewable energy production from offshore wind by 2030.

Expansive New Executive Order Calls for an ‘All of Government’ Approach to Climate

In a January 27 Executive Order, President Biden initiated steps to mobilize the entire federal government to address climate change from every sector of the economy – and to motivate states and other countries to do the same. The EO falls short of declaring a climate emergency; however, it tasks the federal agencies to make and act on recommendations related to climate policies, environmental justice, labor, national

New U.S. EPA Civil Penalty Amounts in Effect

On Dec. 23, 2020, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized its penalty rule that increased the maximum civil penalties per violation of an environmental statute or agency regulation. These annual adjustments are required by the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Improvements Act of 2015.  Below are the new penalty maximum levels to account for inflation. In practice, fines tend to track the perceived or actual economic benefit derived from the violation(s) – consistent with applicable EPA penalty policies.

Construction Employment In December Trails Pre-Pandemic Levels In 34 States As Pandemic Continues To Disrupt Demand For Many Projects

Texas and Vermont Have Worst February-December Losses While Virginia and Alabama Add the Most; Arizona, Delaware Have Worst One-Month Job Losses As California, New Hampshire Top Other States

Construction Leadership Council of Middle Tennessee Helps “Light Up the House” for the Holiday Season

2020 was a rough year for networking events. After the CLC of Middle Tennessee’s “Ugly Christmas Mask” holiday event was cancelled due to city health regulations, they thought they were done for the year. But then the call came from the Ronald McDonald House of Nashville.

The staff at the Ronald McDonald House of Nashville wanted to “Light up the House” for the holiday season. These families were under an extremely strict quarantine with their children in local hospitals. The staff wanted to bring some extra holiday cheer to their hearts. They immediately called the Construction Leadership Council and asked if volunteers would come out and decorate the main entrance of the House with family friendly holiday décor. CLC happily partnered with them, Lumenate, and the local News Channel 2 to help raise money and decorate the House.

GBCA Construction Leadership Council Brings Holiday Spirit to 2020

Despite restrictions to in-person gatherings during the 2020 holiday season, the General Building Contractors Association’s (GBCA) Construction Leadership Council (CLC) still found a way to support Philadelphians in need and provide some much-needed holiday spirit. In 2020, the CLC moved its holiday fundraising activities predominantly online.