On March 28, AGC responded (via individual and coalition comments) to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) premature revision to the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for particulate matter (PM). AGC supports the establishment of reasonable air quality rules that are necessary, based on sound science and measurably improve public health. However, this proposal would greatly increase the stringency of the PM NAAQS ahead of schedule, without clear justification in the science, and contrary to the Administration’s commitment to improve infrastructure and create jobs. Geographic areas that cannot meet these standards could face sanctions, such as a loss of federal highway funding or inability to permit new projects. AGC urged EPA to retain the current standards and highlighted a concern that states—in an attempt to meet the standards—may place restrictions on the use and operation of diesel equipment, which are, in essence, construction bans.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently released the Spanish language version of its Construction Inspection Training Course. (The English version of the training is online here.) Construction site operators permitted under EPA’s 2022 Construction General Permit (CGP) are required to ensure that any individual conducting site inspections is a “qualified person.” The 2022 CGP includes new requirements for qualified persons that apply to all sites that receive permit coverage on or after February 17, 2023. After this date, an individual may be considered a qualified person only if they:
AGC of America and other business groups jointly submitted an amicus brief at the U.S. Supreme Court on March 3 in support of a land developer’s request for review of a Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals’ decision that allows citizen enforcement even when the state environmental agency has begun enforcement for a Clean Water Act (CWA) violation.
The House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee advances AGC-supported legislation to repeal a new Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule that would expand federal permitting jurisdiction over wetlands and more construction projects.
Public and private project owners are increasing looking for ways to reduce their climate change impacts. Likewise, communities and property owners want to protect their assets from extreme weather and natural disasters. To meet these owner demands, contractors must consider using new project delivery means and methods that come with new risks stemming from new designers/subcontractors, new construction materials/products, and new equipment. Join us on March 28 and April 4 for a two-part webinar series to look at the climate change impacts on construction trends and strategies for success. Register here! (AGC Member Price $69 | Non-member Price $119)
Register now for this two-part series beginning on March 28 that will examine trends for sustainability and resiliency, drivers, risks, and strategies for success in reducing the environmental footprint of the built environment while also protecting assets from extreme weather and natural disasters.
Nearly 2,000 AGC members tell EPA to oppose the unfounded effort to regulate the disposal of ubiquitous plastics used in construction.
On February 16, AGC weighed in on a proposed rule that would create new and onerous greenhouse gas reporting requirements for virtually every federal construction contractor.
On February 15, AGC participated in the FHWA virtual summit for Every Day Counts (EDC) on environmental product declarations to provide the contractors’ perspective on delivering sustainable infrastructure.
On Jan. 31, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) made a controversial decision to block or “veto” a Clean Water Act section 404 permit for the Pebble Mine in Alaska. Last year, AGC raised concerns that EPA’s preemptive veto of the permit would set a harmful precedent for future projects working through the permitting and/or appeals process and have a chilling effect on infrastructure development. The permit in question was undergoing an administrative appeal (still pending) following the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ denial.