In celebration of National Building Safety Month, traditionally recognized throughout the month of May, AGC participated in an exclusive, invitation-only White House Conference on Resilient Building Codes. Speakers shared insights on what adaptations buildings require in order to enhance resiliency, how to support local communities in protecting their building stock from natural and other disasters, and suggestions on incorporating resilience attributes into codes and standards. Click here for the White House fact sheet on the event.
The White House staff also shared information on how federal agencies are incorporating resilience into their missions/operations. The White House has issued a comprehensive Climate Change Resilience plan and other tools, including an Executive Order to factor climate resilience into programs and investments. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has launched a new website “to promote more resilient communities through use of the latest standards and criteria, building codes, and recent climate science.” In addition, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is working on a zoning and building codes report and tool for communities; and the Department of Homeland Security is working on a Community Infrastructure Resilience Toolkit. Both tools should be available in late 2016. (See the White House fact sheet above for a summary of federal agencies’ commitments.)
In addition, conference participants shared their commitment to invest in our infrastructure and advance the safety of our nation’s building stock. (See the White House fact sheet above for a summary of all participating organizations’ commitments) For AGC’s part, the Association will continue to support a coordinated national strategy to invest in infrastructure and provide education and outreach to construction professionals on resiliency initiatives.
Specifically, with the approval of the AGC Building Division, AGC was one of 21 associations and professional societies in the building industries to sign a joint industry statement on resilience back in May 2014 (see below). In support of that commitment, AGC has regularly provided educational sessions on resilience during its annual Contractors Environmental Conference (for example, see the schedule for AGC’s 2016 CEC) and has frequently highlighted resiliency-related news. (Follow AGC’s Twitter account for environmental news and trends at @AGCEnvironment.)
For more information, contact AGC’s Melinda Tomaino at tomainom@agc.org or (703) 837-5415.
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The Associated General Contractors of America
Supporting Resilience through Investment in Our Infrastructure
Our nation’s built environment sustains our quality of life and our economic productivity; however, the nation’s aging infrastructure puts our communities at risk. AGC supports key investments in buildings, schools, highways and other critical infrastructure that will make our communities more safe and secure. New, more resilient and efficient buildings, power facilities and factories will deliver significant economic, environmental and safety benefits. At the same time, investing in new public infrastructure will ease pollution-causing traffic congestion, increase resiliency to extreme weather events, and ensure safe and healthy supplies of drinking water for decades to come. Inefficiencies and disrepair in these systems only exasperate our pollution, health and public safety concerns. This is especially true with older structures and poorly performing public infrastructure. AGC stands with the building and development industries and commits to supporting a coordinated national strategy to invest in our infrastructure and literally build a resilient future. As integral partners in this process, AGC also commits to provide education and outreach to construction professionals on resiliency initiatives.