AGC wrote to the House of Representative this week to urge support for several House bills that will allow increased energy production and lead to a more stable energy market for major consumers of energy, including the construction industry.

Comments Deadline June 24 The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed a draft revised construction general permit (CGP) for public comment to regulate stormwater discharges from active sites where EPA is the permitting authority. The revised CGP will replace the current 2008 CGP, which is set to expire on June 30. 

AGC continues to urge Congress to repeal the 3 percent withholding mandate on federal, state, and local government contracts. Starting January 1, 2012, public owners will begin withholding 3 percent of every payment to contractors for goods and services, including construction.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Wednesday released for public comment new draft guidance to clarify jurisdiction of the Clean Water Act over wetlands and waterways. 

AGC continues to urge Congress to repeal the 3 percent withholding mandate on federal, state, and local government contracts. Starting January 1, 2012, public owners will begin withholding 3 percent of every payment to contractors for goods and services, including construction.

With Congress returning from a two-week recess, the month of May has the potential to see action on a long-awaited surface transportation bill.  The chairmen of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works have both indicated they would like to have a bill completed by Memorial Day. 

The White House is reportedly considering issuing an Executive Order that would require federal contractors to disclose their campaign contributions.

Even though fiscal year 2011 budget battles have wrapped up, several more will face Congress when they return from recess on May 2. Now that the House has passed their FY 2012 budget resolution, normal procedure would be for the Senate to follow with their budget resolution. Following Senate passage, the differences in each chamber’s budget would be resolved in conference.

With Congress on a two-week break, AGC and other transportation stakeholders took the opportunity to brief congressional staff on the importance of passing a surface transportation reauthorization bill.  The briefing, which was sponsored by the AGC-led Transportation Construction Coalition and the Americans for Transportation Mobility, provided nearly 60 staff members the basics of why a multi-year bill is critical to the health of our construction industry and our economy as a whole.

AGC continues to urge Congress to repeal the 3 percent withholding mandate on federal, state, and local government contracts. Starting January 1, 2012, public owners will begin withholding 3 percent of every payment to contractors for goods and services, including construction.