According to a new analysis of data from the EPA, the construction industry accounts for less than one percent of all U.S. green house gas emissions. In addition to the findings, contractors around the country are taking steps to further reduce their emissions while also building infrastructure for a greener environment.

On Earth Day, AGC announced that the construction industry emits less than one percent of all U.S. green house gas emissions, according to a new analysis of federal environmental data from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.  The newly released data shows the relative efficiency of a construction industry that currently accounts for more than five percent of the U.S. work force and 800,000 small businesses.AGC noted that in addition to curbing emissions, the industry recycles more than any other, including 97.5 percent of structural steel, 65 percent of reinforcement steel and 80 percent of asphalt. Read AGC's Earth Day press release here, or view coverage by For Construction Pros.com, USGNN and Building Design and Construction.

AGC's analysis of climate change legislation shows a significant impact on construction in the form of higher energy prices, higher raw materials prices, potential EPA regulation of land use (including local planning decisions) and transportation planning due to the proposed cap and trade program that would create a market for emissions allowances.While climate change is a major focus of both President Obama and Congressional leaders, the committee process has thus far found a less than unanimous endorsement of cap and trade as the best way to regulate green house gases. The Senate chose to not endorse a cap and trade solution earlier by a vote of 67 to 31.

The House Energy and Commerce Committee will conduct four days of hearings beginning Tuesday to receive testimony on a 648-page draft global warming and energy bill introduced last month by Representatives Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) and Ed Markey (D-Mass.).  The draft bill would establish a cap and trade program to curb U.S. greenhouse gas emissions by 20 percent below 2005 levels by 2020 and by 83 percent by 2050.

In a letter sent to Rep. Lynn Woolsey, Chairwoman of the House Subcommittee on Workforce Protections, and Rep. Tom Price, the Subcommittee' Ranking Member, AGC CEO Steve Sandherr made the point that construction jobs meet all the criteria of the loosely defined "green job." This criteria includes: Improving the environment; Offering good-paying jobs; Offering opportunities for advancement; Are jobs that cannot be outsourced; and Encouraging participation by a diverse population.

In a letter sent to Rep. Lynn Woolsey, Chairwoman of the House Subcommittee on Workforce Protections, and Rep. Tom Price, the Subcommittee’ Ranking Member, AGC CEO Steve Sandherr made the point that construction jobs meet all the criteria of the loosely defined “green job.”This criteria includes:Improving the environment;Offering good-paying jobs;Offering opportunities for advancement;Are jobs that cannot be outsourced; andEncouraging participation by a diverse population.The letter was sent to the subcommittee in response to a March 31 hearing it held to “examine green jobs and their role in our nation’s economic recovery.”AGC’s letter emphasized how large a role the construction industry plays in a green economy, how important it is to capture all of the green work that the industry does – including recycling at the highest levels of any industry – and the need to provide training for traditional crafts that may “benefit by, but do not need, training in green practices in order to work successfully on a green project.”Further, AGC stressed the need for the federal government to avoid over-defining “green jobs” so that it excludes large segments of the industry and highlighted the many ways that AGC, its members and Chapters promote training and construction in environmentally sound and “green” practices.The full text of the AGC letter is posted here.

On April 10, 2009, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published in the Federal Register a proposed rule that would require reporting of annual greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from a wide range of sources, including all facilities that produce cement and manufacture lime. The agency is seeking public comment on the proposed threshold for reporting and whether to include monitoring and reporting requirements for in-use fleets, as well as other provisions in the proposed rule. Comments are due June 9, 2009.

Included in the draft climate and energy legislation proposed by Representatives Henry Waxman (D-CA) and Ed Markey (D-MA) Tuesday would require state and local transportation planners to link transportation and land-use decisions.  This provision would likely make it more difficult for transportation planners to meet mobility needs through projects that add highway capacity.

Representatives Henry Waxman (D-CA) and Ed Markey (D-MA) Tuesday unveiled a 648-page draft global warming and energy bill that would establish a cap and trade program to curb U.S. greenhouse gas emissions by 20 percent below 2005 levels by 2020 and by 83 percent by 2050.  The draft bill would also create a nationwide renewable energy electricity standard that reaches 25 percent by 2025, new energy efficiency programs, place limits on the carbon content of motor fuels, and require greenhouse gas standards for new heavy duty vehicles and engines.

AGC member Don Weaver (Weaver Bailey Contractors, El Paso, Arkansas) testified on March 19th before the U.S. House Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming regarding green construction practices in the construction industry. Weaver called for new federal incentives to encourage recycling of construction materials and purchase of more efficient construction equipment. He also stated that tax credits and incentives would reduce greenhouse gas emissions, boost economic activity, cut waste and lower construction costs.