On August 5, President Biden signed an Executive Order setting a new target to make half of all new vehicles sold in 2030 zero-emissions vehicles, including battery electric, plug-in hybrid electric, or fuel cell electric vehicles. The Executive Order also initiates development of long-term fuel efficiency and emissions standards. In conjunction with this Order, the Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Department of Transportation will soon announce how they plan to counter regulatory action on efficiency and emissions standards developed by the previous administration. These announcements, along with increased consumer interest in electric vehicles, makes clear that Congress must seriously address the long-term solvency of the Highway Trust Fund. As more electric and fuel-efficient vehicles join the nation’s auto fleet each year, gas tax revenue, which provides the lion’s share of funding for building our nation’s highway and bridge infrastructure, will continue to decline.
Associated General Contractors of America Details Measures Needed to Lead to a More Environmentally Friendly Built Environment, Also Outlines Steps Firms Can Take to Operate More Efficiently
Unveiling will be livestreamed on the association’s Facebook page, facebook.com/agcofa
On July 14, AGC outlined its priorities for the bipartisan infrastructure package to the group of bipartisan senators who are drafting the legislation. In addition to significant investments in physical infrastructure, AGC calls for investing in the construction workforce, streamlining the federal environmental review and permitting process, improving the construction supply chain, as well as ensuring provisions restricting the expansion of highway capacity are not included. AGC and industry stakeholders continue to meet with the Senate offices working on this legislation to highlight construction industry priorities. The timing for when the legislation will be released and ultimately voted on continues to be unclear. However, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) has said the Senate will push to vote on it before the chamber breaks for the August recess.
AGC recently submitted extensive comments on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) draft 2022 National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Construction General Permit and supporting materials, based on member input.
We're all eager to get back to in-person conferences, but you won't want to miss the exceptional lineup of environmental sessions we've assembled for 2021's Construction Safety, Health & Environmental Virtual Conference on July 20-22. That's why we've slashed the price for this year's virtual conference and made it free to all AGC members. Participate at your own pace and learn about climate, community, corporate transparency, species, and water issues.
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) recently requested public input on company disclosure of information associated with Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) and climate change risks, impacts, and opportunities. In response, AGC’s June 11 letter to agency offered key principles for the SEC to consider: 1) support of voluntary and flexible, market-based disclosures; 2) adherence to the Supreme Court’s “materiality” standard and existing rules; 3) base disclosures on sound data and a workable framework for companies of different sizes and industries; and 4) set boundaries on the scope of reporting and limits on legal liability.
Learn more at July 20-22 virtual conference, free to AGC members
Learn more at July 20-22 virtual conference, free to AGC members
Gains on WOTUS, Endangered Species Act Regulations & More in Jeopardy