Active construction sites that store certain quantities of "oil" must prepare and implement Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasure (SPCC) Plans by November 10, 2010, to prevent the discharge of oil to navigable waters, per a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule published last week. This action once again extends the compliance dates for construction sites and other "facilities" covered by EPA's oil SPCC requirements - and comes just in time to wipe out the prior July 1, 2009 deadline. Following is a description of the SPCC program deadlines, the construction sites subject to the rules and EPA's streamlined amendments that resulted from AGC's multi-year effort to make the program more workable for contractors.
In close coordination with the AGC of California and its San Diego Chapter, AGC of America continues to press California for relief from its potentially nationwide rule on off-road diesel emissions. Last December, AGC petitioned the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to reopen the rule. AGC also urged the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to deny the state the federal approval that it requires to enforce the rule's core requirements. Since then, AGC has persuaded CARB to make an objective assessment of how greatly the recent economic downturn has already reduced emissions from off-road diesel equipment, and to share background information on the agency's past projections of such emissions with the association.
On Thursday, June 18, the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee passed S. 787 the Clean Water Restoration Act. The legislation was offered as an amendment sponsored by Chairwoman Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), Senator Max Baucus(D-Mont.) and Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.). Republican committee members criticized the bill as a substantial expansion of federal jurisdiction over water by removing the term "navigable" waterways. Ranking Member Senator James Inhofe (R-Okla.) and Senator John Barasso (R-Wyo.) offered multiple unsuccessful amendments to address "negative impacts" on rural and agricultural communities.
Now scheduled for June 25, this webinar will explore the green incentives and sustainability provisions contained in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009. Learn about the details of these provisions as well as the potential impact on construction project financing and lending standards. Information will be provided on the current credit and lending issues as well as the impact on financing contained in portions of the ARRA, specifically green incentives. Industry expert Andy Lutz from Navigant will explore ARRA its impact on the construction market on June 25 from 1:30 - 3:00 pm ET. Register today! All previous registrations will be honored.For more information, please contact Carrie Harper at harperc@agc.org.
On Thursday, June 18, the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee passed S. 787 the Clean Water Restoration Act. The legislation was offered as an amendment sponsored by Chairwoman Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), Senator Max Baucus(D-Mont.) and Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.). Republican committee members criticized the bill as a substantial expansion of federal jurisdiction over water by removing the term "navigable" waterways. Ranking Member Senator James Inhofe (R-Okla.) and Senator John Barasso (R-Wyo.) offered multiple unsuccessful amendments to address "negative impacts" on rural and agricultural communities.In a June 17, 2009, letter to EPW Committee members, AGC opposed this legislation because it gives the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers jurisdiction over all wet areas-however remote or intermittent-and over all activities (e.g., construction) affecting those waters. Consequently, the bill would require construction contractors and project owners to obtain and be regulated by federal Clean Water Act permits far more frequently than is currently required.AGC will continue to fight this legislation as it is considered by the full Senate, which is uncertain. Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) have placed "holds" on the legislation, making it unlikely that it will see floor timein the near future. Similar legislation in the House of Representatives has yet to be introduced, however T&I Chairman James Oberstar (D-Minn.) has indicated his support for similar legislation in the House of Representatives.
The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 established an energy and renewable energy worker training program through a provision known as the Green Jobs Act, which would limit training grant funding only to entities that coordinate with labor organizations. AGC is supportive of the creation of such a grant program as part of an effort to create an efficient and renewable energy-skilled workforce. However, AGC believes that the opportunity to qualify for such grants should be open to all contractors, both union and open shop, with accredited training programs.
An AGC Environmental Network and Navigant Consulting, Inc WebinarGain insight into the Green Incentives and Sustainability policies contained in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 during this webinar, hosted by AGC's Environmental Network and Navigant Consulting, Inc., June 3, 1:30-3:00 pm ET.Understand the details of the sustainable and green provisions outlined in the ARRA as well as the potential impact on construction project financing and lending standards. Information will be provided on the current credit and lending issues as well as the impact on financing contained in portions of the ARRA, specifically green incentives. Register here.For more information, contact Melinda Tomaino at (703) 837-5415 or tomainom@agc.org.
Recognizing that AGC is a strong supporter of voluntary diesel retrofit efforts and initiatives at both the national and local levels, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has invited AGC to participate in the Southeast Diesel Collaborative's partners meeting, scheduled for June 15-17 in Atlanta. The goal of the meeting is to identify new opportunities to reduce emissions from existing diesel engines (like those used in construction equipment) with a specific focus on innovative technologies, clean diesel, and renewable energy sources. AGC's Senior Environmental Advisor Leah Pilconis will present AGC's perspective on how to balance contractor business and economic concerns with air quality goals. Register online at no charge at http://www.southeastdiesel.org and be part of a large gathering of federal, state and local officials; environmental advocacy groups; fleet owners; and other diesel stakeholders. For more information, click here or contact Leah Pilconis at pilconisl@agc.org
Recognizing that AGC of America is a strong supporter of voluntary diesel retrofit efforts and initiatives at both the national and local levels, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has invited AGC to participate in the Southeast Diesel Collaborative's partners meeting, scheduled for June 15-17 in Atlanta. The goal of the meeting is to identify new opportunities to reduce emissions from existing diesel engines (like those used in construction equipment) with a specific focus on innovative technologies, clean diesel and renewable energy sources. AGC's Senior Environmental Advisor Leah Pilconis will present AGC's perspective on how to balance contractor business and economic concerns with air quality goals. Register online at no charge at http://www.southeastdiesel.org and be part of a large gathering of federal, state and local officials; environmental advocacy groups; fleet owners; and other diesel stakeholders.
The EPA's new "Renovation, Repair, and Painting" program requires contractors who work in pre-1978 housing and child-occupied facilities to be certified and to follow specific lead-safe work practices by April 2010. The agency recently announced that it has begun to review and accredit training providers to conduct the courses that contractors covered by the lead rules are required to complete. Such contractors should start planning now in order to meet the upcoming compliance dates; EPA expects training opportunities to begin in summer 2009. Until that time, EPA recommends that anyone performing renovation, repair and painting projects that disturb lead-based paint in pre-1978 homes, child care facilities and schools follow lead-safe work practices. For example, all contractors should: contain the work area, minimize dust and clean up thoroughly.For additional information, visit EPA's Web site at http://epa.gov/lead/pubs/renovation.htm. In the coming months, EPA will also post a list of accredited trainers on its Web site. You can also call the National Lead Information Center (NLIC) at 1(800) 424-LEAD [5323] to find out more.For more information, click here or contact Leah Pilconis at pilconisl@agc.org or (703) 837-5332.