AGC of America would like to recognize the AGC of St. Louis for utilizing Liquid Assets: The Story of Our Water Infrastructure to raise awareness about local water infrastructure needs.  In addition to working with various regional partners to support the broadcast of Liquid Assets, AGC of St. Louis has worked with other groups, including the Missouri American Water, to establish a coalition to highlight local water infrastructure needs. To learn more about this effort please click here.If your company or Chapter would like to learn more about how to leverage Liquid Assets in your community, please click here.For a copy of the Liquid Assets DVD or additional information contact Perry L. Fowler at fowlerp@agc.org or (703) 837-5321.

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 time in 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.For additional information, contact Perry Fowler at (703)837-5321 or fowlerp@agc.org.

AGC has compiled a chart that contains information about EPA-funded stimulus projects on a state-by-state basis.  To date the EPA has distributed over $5.2 billion dollars to states including $864 million for American Indian and Alaska Native communities.  Click here to download a copy of the chart, which includes state intended use plans where available. Additionally, the EPA has recently identified Tribal Clean and Drinking Water Projects totaling $90 million dollars.Tribal Clean Water Projects (PDF)Tribal Drinking Water Projects (PDF)Unfortunately AGC finds no evidence that a significant amount of contracts funded by EPA stimulus dollars are currently soliciting bids for a variety of reasons, including confusion about new regulatory requirements like the Buy American provisions and "green infrastructure" requirements that have not typically applied to the SRF programs. If you have information about issues causing delays in your stat,e it is critical that you communicate this information to AGC of America or your local AGC Chapter.  For additional information on the stimulus, please visit the AGC of America Stimulus Web site by clicking here.For additional information, contact Perry Fowler at (703)837-5321 or fowlerp@agc.org.

On June 22, AGC submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) written comments for consideration in the interim final regulation on federally-assisted projects. These projects would include building, highway and municipal and utility construction projects funded by the stimulus. In addition, OMB that same day published Implementing Guidance for the Reports on Use of Funds Pursuant to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 ("Recovery Act"). This guidance details the reporting requirements included in Section 1512 of the Recovery Act for recipients of grants, loans and other forms of assistance. The reports required by Section 1512 will be submitted by recipients beginning in October 2009 and will provide information to the government, such as:Who is receiving Recovery Act dollars and in what amounts?What projects or activities are being funded with Recovery Act dollars?What is the completion status of such projects or activities and what impact have they had on job creation and retention?The reporting framework in the referenced guidance has been updated and enhanced to capture additional spending data from prime recipients and sub-recipients of federal financial assistance Recovery Act awards. Further, OMB has deployed a nationwide data collection system at the website www.FederalReporting.gov that will reduce the information reporting burden on recipients by simplifying reporting instructions and providing a user-friendly mechanism for submitting required data.To read AGC's comments to OMB, click here.To read the OMB Memorandum and Guidance Document click here.To view the Recipient Reporting Data Model - Template, Data Dictionary, XML Schema click here.To read the List of Programs Subject to Recipient Reporting, click here.For additional information, contact Perry Fowler at (703)837-5321 or fowlerp@agc.org.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) provides significant funding for states to finance high priority infrastructure projects needed to ensure clean water and safe drinking water. The Act also includes "Buy American" provisions that require Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) projects to use domestic iron, steel, and manufactured goods. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) hosted a webcast on June 22 that discussed how the ARRA Buy American provisions will affect the implementation of CWSRF and DWSRF projects. The content discussed EPA's expectations on the part of the recipient, procedures for requesting a waiver, and the content of EPA's April 28 Memorandum on Implementation of Buy American Provisions.Download a PDF of the slides from the webcast here.View the webcast here.For additional information, contact Perry Fowler at (703)837-5321 or fowlerp@agc.org.

  On June 29, 2009, the United States Government Accountability Office (GAO) released its report, “Clean Water Infrastructure: A Variety of Issues Need to Be Considered when Designing a Clean Water Trust Fund.”  The long awaited report from the GAO acknowledges that our Nation faces tremendous challenges in replacing and rehabilitating our water infrastructure, with estimated needs between $400 and $600 billion over the next 20 years for safe drinking water and wastewater treatment infrastructure.      

On June 6, AGC's Chief Economist Ken Simonson gave a presentation to Washington, D.C.'s  Water and Sewer Authority (WASA) senior management.  WASA provides drinking water and wastewater services to 500,000 customers in the District of Columbia, and 1.6 million customers in Maryland and Virginia. In his presentation, Simonson discussed the outlook for construction markets and highlighted increasing unemployment and material price trends in the construction industry.AGC's Municipal &Utilities Division director Perry L. Fowler also participated in the WASA briefing and discussed current industry trends and regulatory issues impacting AGC contractors such as  American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) Buy American requirements and recent waivers issued by the EPA.  Former AGC of D.C. president and AGC national board member Dragan Stojanovic, Norair Engineering Corp., also attended the meeting.Simonson also spoke to the New York City Department of Environmental Protection at its Newtown Creek Water Pollution Control Plant on June 22. Both the Washington, D.C. and New York water agencies have multi-billion dollar construction plans and sought out AGC's chief economist for his take on the outlook for materials costs.If you know of a water or wastewater agency that would like to schedule a similar presentation for its senior management and estimating or engineering staff, please contact Perry Fowler at fowlerp@agc.org.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued a di minimus waiver from Buy America requirements contained in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.  This is the second Buy America waiver issued by EPA; the first national waiver applied to projects under contract before President Obama signed the ARRA.  This nationwide waiver can be applied to materials or components which constitute five percent or less of the total cost of materials incorporated into  a water infrastructure project funded by EPA's Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Loan ( SRF) programs funded by the ARRA. AGC's efforts were critical in educating the EPA about the complexity and components of typical water infrastructure projects, such as treatment plants or pipe replacement and rehabilitation projects. This waiver was deemed to be in the public interest  by the EPA in order to ensure ARRA-funded projects proceed within the timelines established in the legislation to provide jobs and infrastructure investments. AGC applauds EPA's action to avoid project delays and unnecessary liability for AGC members.To view a copy of the 6-page EPA document click here.For additional information contact Perry L. Fowler at fowlerp@agc.org or (703) 837-5321.

On June 10, 2009, the House Appropriations Interior & Environment Subcommittee approved it’s FY 2010 bill, which provides funding for the Department of the Interior and other agencies, including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. This bill delivers on the President’s requested budget of $3.9 billion for EPA’s Drinking Water and Clean Water State Revolving Fund (SRF) programs with an increase of approximately 250% from FY09 appropriations (excluding the $6 billion in ARRA stimulus funding).

On Monday June 6, 2009, AGC’s Chief Economist Ken Simonson gave a presentation to senior management including capital planning, design and program management staff at Washington, DC’s  Water and Sewer Authority (WASA).  WASA provides drinking water and wastewater services to 500,000 customers in the District of Columbia, and 1.6 million customers in Maryland and Virginia. In his presentation, Simonson discussed the outlook for construction markets and highlighted increasing unemployment and material price trends in the construction industry.