At a September 11 public meeting, AGC shared its concerns and recommendations regarding the White House Council on Environmental Quality’s (CEQ) proposed Phase 2 revisions to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Implementing Regulations. AGC is concerned that the proposed revisions could complicate and prolong infrastructure projects, jeopardizing the potential benefits of recent legislative acts. Delays can increase project costs and even lead to abandonment. Efficiency is essential for timely community benefits, resilience, and economic strength.

Each year, in partnership with WTW and Milwaukee Tool, AGC recognizes outstanding companies and professionals in the industry for their passion and commitment to safety through the:

On September 11, AGC, along with industry partners on the Construction Industry Safety Coalition (CISC), submitted comments on Mine Safety and Health Administration’s (MSHA) proposal to update its existing standards to better protect miners against occupational exposure to respirable crystalline silica.

AGC member Marathon Construction hosts Rep. Mike Levin (D-CA) for a project tour of the San Dieguito Lagoon Wetland Restoration Project in San Diego, California.

On August 29, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) sent a letter to the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) requesting that marijuana be rescheduled under the Controlled Substance Act (CSA). The health agency recommended that marijuana be reclassified from a Schedule I drug under the CSA to a Schedule III drug.

In its Cemex Construction Materials ruling issued August 25, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) paved the way for unions to represent employee units without winning a secret ballot election outside the 8(f) exemption, effectively placing the burden on employers to disprove a union’s claim of 9(a) representative status. A day earlier, the NLRB issued new election rules (effective December 23, 2023) that speed up the election process and effectively bar employers from litigating key election issues until after a vote. (For info on the differences between 9(a) and 8(f) union recognition, see here and here.)

The National Labor Relations Board on Aug. 25 adopted a final rule amending procedures governing union representation elections. The rule shortens the time period between the filing of a representation petition and the holding of an election and makes other changes that operate to unions’ advantage. Reversing regulations issued by the Board during the Trump Administration, the new rule marks a return to the “Quickie Election” or “Ambush Election” Rule issued by the Board during the Obama administration almost in its entirety. AGC took several steps to stop the Obama-era rule – including regulatory comments, Congressional lobbying, and even litigation – but the rule survived all substantive challenges. While the Board’s new rule could be vulnerable on procedural grounds (given the agency’s failure to provide the public with advance notice and an opportunity to comment before making the rule final), its similarity to the Obama-era rule means it, too, would likely survive substantive challenge. The rule is set to take effect on Dec. 26.