USGBC’s Center for Resilience Showcases Practical Resources

In December 5 US DOT announced a set of changes to its approach to rulemaking, guidance and enforcement. Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao, calling the changes the "rule on rules," said the change will provide greater transparency and strengthen due process in enforcement actions. The regulation "outlines the department's regulatory priorities, such as ensuring that there are no more regulations than necessary, that where they impose burdens, regulations are narrowly tailored to address identified market failures or statutory mandates, and that they specify performance objectives when appropriate," according to the rule language. Specifically, it codifies several of President Donald Trump's orders on regulation, including a directive to eliminate two regulations for every one enacted, budgeting procedures and the implementation of a Regulatory Reform Task Force.

The second in a series of informational webinars to highlight successes in the Highway Construction Workforce Partnership (HCWP) will be held Thursday, December 12 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time. The webinar is an opportunity to learn about the HCWP, and how the Public Workforce System and highway industry can work together to identify, train, and place individuals into high need highway construction jobs. The December 12 webinar will feature presentations by Los Angeles and Arizona HCWP locations. Participation information:

Industry Continues to Add Workers Faster and Pay Higher Wages than Overall Economy as Association Officials Call on Congress and the White House to Pass the JOBS Act, Boost Funding for Career Training

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued a temporary enforcement policy to allow for crane operator certifications issued prior to December 2, 2019 by the Crane Institute Certification (CIC) to be temporarily accepted by the agency. OSHA requires crane operators engaged in construction activity to be certified by an entity holding accreditation through a nationally recognized agency. CIC no longer holds such accreditation. The policy explains that, although CIC-issued certifications are not compliant with OSHA’s operator certification requirement, OSHA does not intend to cite employers for operating equipment that violates that requirement if their operators, in good faith, obtained CIC-issued certifications prior to December 2, with the belief the certifications met the standard’s requirements. Until further notice, OSHA will not accept CIC certifications – including re-certifications – issued on or after December 2, 2019.

On Dec. 3, the AGC co-chaired Transportation Construction Coalition (TCC) urged House and Senate negotiators to complete action on the fiscal year 2020 transportation appropriations bill. Both the House and Senate have passed their own versions of the legislation and must now agree to a compromise bill. The TCC applauded both the House and Senate versions for fully funding the program levels authorized by the FAST Act. It also called for the final bill to include at least $2.7 billion in supplemental highway funding and $750 million in supplemental public transportation funding to address surface transportation needs in all states, $1 billion for the BUILD grant program, and additional funding for Airport Improvement Program grants. The U.S. Department of Transportation programs, along with other federal programs, are currently operating under a short-term continuing resolution that expires on Dec. 20.

Every year, AGC of America’s Student Chapter members and faculty gather together at AGC’s Annual Convention to connect with chapters across the nation, share ideas, become exposed to industry trends, issues and technological developments and experience the excitement of entering this important industry! Make sure your student chapter members join us again this year for our annual Student Chapter meeting where we will recognize the AGC Education and Research Foundation award winners, hear presentations by the 2019 Outstanding Student Chapter Contest winners and participate in Student Chapter best practices roundtable discussions. AGC of America also offers students the chance to participate in the Bill Ratz Memorial Topgolf Tournament with the AGC Education and Research Foundation. Student and faculty registration rates can be found on the AGC Convention website. To obtain dates and times for student sessions at Convention and to get your students registered please contact paige.packard@agc.org.

Dallas-Plano-Irving, Texas and Omaha-Council Bluffs, Neb.-Iowa Have Largest Gains; New York City and Fairbanks, Alaska Lag the Most as Industry Calls for Measures to Boost Supply of Qualified Workers

CLC volunteers from the Builder’s Association in Kansas City, Missouri braved the humidity on Saturday, August 10, 2019, to transform the outdoor areas of an Overland Park Missouri residence into an attractive and welcoming landscape. The residence is owned and operated by Friends of JCDS (Johnson County Developmental Supports), Inc., a non-profit that provides affordable and accessible housing and other services for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

AGC joined with a coalition of 33 other organizations calling for the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) to finalize revisions to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) regulations as proposed last year. In a letter this week the groups told CEQ the proposed changes would allow for increased infrastructure investment and project development in a manner that strengthens our economy and enhances environmental stewardship. The letter also pointed out that revisions to the NEPA review process should aim to increase transparency and predictability as well as coordination between federal agencies to eliminate unnecessary barriers that prevent or delay the implementation of important projects. AGC participated in a Nov. 20 meeting at the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to further discuss the need to update these rules.