News

As we enter 2010, the Oil Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasure (SPCC) amendments finalized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) at the end of 2008 have finally gone into effect.  Many of these amendments (and other reforms finalized by EPA back in 2006) will ease the compliance burden on construction companies covered by the federal oil spill control regulations.  The amendments respond to many of AGC's main concerns as well as the association's recommendations on how to improve the SPCC program. EPA has set a November 10, 2010, compliance deadline for regulated construction sites to prepare and implement SPCC Plans that meet all of the current requirements; however, the Agency plans to separately propose to extend the deadline because of the uncertainty surrounding the final amendments to the rule and an earlier delay of the effective date.
Senator Lisa Murkowski (R- Alaska) on January 21 introduced a bipartisan disapproval resolution to block the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from regulating greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions under the Clean Air Act.  Cosponsored by 35 Republicans and three Democrats, the resolution would nullify EPA's December 2009 finding that GHG emissions endanger public health and welfare and thus are subject to federal regulation under the Clean Air Act.
Join us March 17-20 in Orlando for AGC's 91st Annual Convention and Pavilion. As the construction industry continues to battle tough economic conditions and legislative challenges, AGC's Annual Convention provides the only opportunity for contractors to get all the latest information on economic forecasts, rules and regulations, and best practices, and to hear first-hand from others on what they are doing to survive and thrive in this challenging environment.
Attend Building to LEED during the AGC 2010 Annual Convention pre-convention sessions (separate registration) and earn 7.5 GBCI CE towards maintaining your credential. The program will take place on March 16, 2010 in Orlando with the Annual Convention running March 17-21.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Jan. 22 finalized tighter air quality standards for nitrogen dioxide (NO2) gas. The revision marks the first time EPA has updated the national ambient air quality standard (NAAQS) for NO2 in nearly four decades. Significantly, EPA also chose to set new, first-time requirements calling on states to monitor and measure NO2 levels near major roads, despite AGC's objections.
The author of a new publication has requested AGC to assemble a small peer group to review the nearly completed text of a new publication on pre-construction activities associated with green building projects.  The book explores how the green elements of a project may impact estimating, contracts, scheduling and other pre-construction decisions and activities.
AGC is looking for member materials to enrich the Building to LEED: Overview and the Impact on Construction Practices full-day course curriculum, which is undergoing revisions to reflect the newest version of the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System for New Construction.  AGC will credit members that submit photographs, helpful hints or short case studies that illustrate the contractor's role in achieving specific prerequisites and credits in the rating system.
Prepare now for first-time nationwide numeric discharge limits and monitoring requirements.  These new limits strictly enforce the amount of sediment allowed to run off any construction site disturbing 10 or more acres of land at any one time (whether contiguous or not).  This new rule, issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in December 2009, also specifies the exact types of erosion and sediment controls that contractors must use, at a bare minimum, to control stormwater runoff on all construction sites that disturb one or more acres of land.   To find out what this means for contractors - sign up for AGC's March 2 webinar, 1:30 -3:00 pm ET.
AGC is working with EPA, the Federal Highway Administration, Construction Materials Recycling Association and other organizations on a one-day workshop that explores green construction approaches. 
Citing new data showing California's emissions from off-road diesel equipment are below air quality targets for years to come, AGC called on state officials to immediately order at least a two-year delay of its new off-road "diesel retrofit" rule in an emergency petition filed January 11.  The delay is needed to avoid unnecessary losses and layoffs within the state's hard hit construction industry while the California Air Resources Board (CARB) continues to review the recently adopted engine emission standards that will force construction companies in California to retrofit or replace almost all of their heavy construction equipment that is currently in the field.