AGC Supplies Recommendations to Streamline NEPA Procedures

AGC Supports Agency Move Towards Greater Transparency in Regulatory Science

AGC and other industry allies recently urged the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee to advance a new bill that would help prevent states from improperly delaying infrastructure projects based on water quality certifications.

Hear Regulatory Updates from Federal Agencies and Industry Experts

The Federal Acquisition Regulatory (FAR) Council on August 22 issued a final rule adopting a December 2016 interim rule that implements Pres. Obama’s Establishing Paid Sick Leave for Federal Contractors executive order and the related September 2016 final rule issued by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL).

As a result of a federal court ruling on August 16, the Obama administration’s 2015 “Waters of the United States” (WOTUS) rule—which expands federal environmental permitting jurisdiction involving wetlands—is now in effect in 26 states (listed below). AGC published an in-depth look at the 2015 WOTUS rule when it was finalized. The association will provide its membersadditional guidance in the coming days, but we caution a measured approach for the moment as this issue is still developing and the situation may change again in short order.

AGC of America’s Union Contractors Committee will hold its next conference call on September 13 at 2:00 p.m. Eastern time. The agenda includes updates on recent developments in labor relations and government affairs of interest to union contractors as well as a roundtable discussion about developments around the country. Participation is free and open to all AGC-member union contractors and chapter staff, regardless of committee membership. (AGC nonmembers may not participate.)

Forty-five states and the District of Columbia added construction jobs between July 2017 and July 2018, while 29 states and D.C. added construction jobs between June and July, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of Labor Department data released today. Association officials cautioned that continued job gains may depend on swiftly implementing new training and education legislation to equip students and workers to enter the industry.

Prices for goods and services used in construction costs were unchanged overall from June to July, but months of steep increases over the past year have squeezed the profits of contractors, whose bid prices have not matched the cost shocks, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of new Labor Department data. Association officials warn that the impact of recent and threatened tariffs are likely to put contractors in further financial peril.

On August 10, the Department of Labor’s (DOL) Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) announced its plan to start scheduling focused reviews of federal contractors beginning in Fiscal Year 2019. Directive 2018-04 directs OFCCP staff to “work towards ensuring that a portion of future scheduling lists, starting with Fiscal Year 2019, include focused reviews as to each of the three authorities that OFCCP enforces.”