Environmental Observer

New National Point-of-Contact To Address Small Business Concerns with Federal Regulatory Agencies

Crystal Yates — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 14:09:37 +0000

Ms. Esther H. Vassar has been appointed National Ombudsman and assistant administrator for Regulatory Enforcement Fairness for the U.S. Small Business Administration. The Office of the National Ombudsman helps small businesses when they experience excessive or unfair federal regulatory enforcement actions, such as repetitive audits or excessive fines by a federal agency. Established in 1996 with [...]

How Do I Access Regulations Issued By U.S. EPA?

Crystal Yates — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 18:12:20 +0000

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has determined its Federal Register Web site contains duplicative information that can be found on the Regulations.gov Web site. In an effort to comply with a 2003 E-Government initiative that directs federal agencies to remove duplicative projects, EPA is now directing the public to Regulations.gov for all Federal Register [...]

EPA Publishes Guidance, Offers Assistance To Prevent PCB Exposure

Crystal Yates — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 18:01:07 +0000

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released guidance for contractors and maintenance personnel working in older buildings, constructed or renovated between 1950 and 1978, that may contain PCB-contaminated (Polychlorinated Biphenyls) caulk and masonry materials. EPA is currently conducting new research to better understand the risks posed by caulk containing PCBs. EPA recently launched a Web [...]

EPA To Host Webinar on Safe Application and Use of Spray Polyurethane Foam (SPF)

Crystal Yates — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 17:57:35 +0000

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will host an online training webinar on December 2 (1-3 PM EST) to address cutting-edge best practices and emerging issues concerning the use of Spray Polyurethane Foam. To register for this event, click here. Used as an insulator and sealant, Spray Polyurethane Foam (SPF) is weatherization product that can increase [...]

Webinar - The Industry's First Green Building Addendum!

Crystal Yates — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:21:10 +0000

On December 2, 2009 from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. ET, our experts, who were also on the ConsensusDOCS drafting committee, will discuss the unique issues and risks associated with building green projects. Using the new ConsensusDOCS 310 Green Building Addendum as a base, they will help you to identify project participants and their respective roles [...]

NOW AVAILABLE - ConsensusDOCS 310 Green Building Addendum!

Crystal Yates — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:15:56 +0000

On November 10, 2009, ConsensusDOCS released the construction industry's first and only comprehensive standard contract document addressing the unique risks and responsibilities associated with building green projects - the ConsensusDOCS 310 Green Building Addendum. The Addendum incorporates contractual best practices to identify the project participants' roles and responsibilities, as well as the implementation and coordination efforts [...]

EPA Announces Plans to Regulate Post-Construction Stormwater Runoff, Requests Comment on Draft Industry Survey to Inform Rulemaking

Crystal Yates — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 21:11:19 +0000

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced that it will propose and take final action by Nov. 2012 on a first-time national rule that would restrict stormwater discharges from newly developed and redeveloped sites. Currently, EPA is requesting the construction industry's feedback on a draft questionnaire that will inform and guide the new stormwater [...]

Senate Environment Committee Holds Hearings on Climate Legislation, Plans Vote This Week

Crystal Yates — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 19:24:39 +0000

The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee last week conducted three days of legislative hearings with over 50 witnesses providing testimony on S. 1733, the Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act, a bill that would create a "cap and trade" regulatory program to reduce U.S. greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to address global climate change [...]

AVAILABLE NOVEMBER 10, 2009 - ConsensusDOCS 310 Green Building Addendum!

Crystal Yates — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 20:44:23 +0000

On November 10, 2009, ConsensusDOCS will release the construction industry's first comprehensive standard contract document addressing the unique risks and responsibilities associated with building green projects - the ConsensusDOCS 310 Green Building Addendum. Stakeholders on green building projects will benefit by using the new ConsensusDOCS 310 Green Building Addendum. The Addendum incorporates contractual best practices to [...]

EPA Proposes to Extend Federal Construction Stormwater Permit, Plans for Introduction of New Discharge Limits Upon Reissuance

Jason Silkey — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 20:03:05 +0000

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is seeking public comment on its Federal Register proposal to extend by one year the terms of its NPDES (National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System) general permit for stormwater discharges from construction sites - commonly called the 2008 Construction General Permit (CGP). The extension of the 2008 CGP permit is [...]

EPA Submits Report to Congress Outlining Diesel Grant Program Results

Crystal Yates — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 20:38:17 +0000

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a report to Congress this week detailing the health, environmental and economic benefits of the Agency's Diesel Emission Reduction Program. The program, funded at $50 million last year, allowed EPA to fund the purchase or retrofitting of 14,000 diesel-powered vehicles and pieces of equipment. A copy of the [...]

AGC and Clean Air Task Force Reach Landmark Accord, Call for Diesel Cleanup in Federally-Funded Transportation Projects

Crystal Yates — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 20:35:21 +0000

Yesterday, AGC of America and the Clean Air Task Force (CATF) announced that the two organizations have agreed on principles to require reductions in diesel emissions from federally-funded transportation projects via contract change orders that cover 100 percent of the costs to retrofit equipment. CATF represents leading environmental groups and targets diesel emissions reductions nationwide. Under [...]

Diesel Advocacy Group Releases Paper on Climate Change, Black Carbon & Clean Diesel

Crystal Yates — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 20:33:48 +0000

Recently, there has been an increased focus on black carbon and its potential impact on global warming. Diesel vehicles and equipment are one of the many sources of black carbon emissions. The Diesel Technology Forum recently published a new paper, "Climate Change, Black Carbon & Clean Diesel," that presents definitions, statistics and facts about black [...]

EPA Administrator Testifies Before Congress on New Clean Water Act Enforcement Action Plan

Crystal Yates — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 20:31:08 +0000

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lisa Jackson appeared this week before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure to discuss the Clean Water Act's (CWA) permit program and EPA's immediate plans to strengthen its enforcement efforts. Jackson specifically called out construction sites as one of "the biggest threats" to our nation's [...]

Attend AGC's Building to LEED®-NC Course at the Greenbuild International Conference and Expo Phoenix, Arizona l November 11-13, 2009

Crystal Yates — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 16:36:42 +0000

AGC's acclaimed Building to LEED-NC: Overview and the Impact on Construction Practices course examines LEED for New Construction with a focus on the means and methods of construction. Attendees will learn about which prerequisites and credits have impacts on construction practices. The course details the ways in which major impact credits will affect decision making [...]

EPA's Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule-Prepare Now to Meet Upcoming Compliance Deadlines

Crystal Yates — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 18:30:42 +0000

A whole host of training, certification and work practice requirements called for by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Lead-Based Paint Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Program are slated to take effect in April 2010. By that date, construction firms must apply for and receive EPA certification to disturb paint as part of their work in [...]

EPA Kicks Off Next Diesel Retrofit Grant Competition!

Crystal Yates — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 14:44:57 +0000

U.S. EPA's FY2009/2010 Request for Proposals (RFP) for the National Clean Diesel Funding Assistance Program is now online at http://www.epa.gov/air/grants_funding.html. EPA anticipates awarding a total of approximately $64 million under this announcement, subject to the availability of funds and the quality of proposals received. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will select project "winners" on [...]

AGC of Minnesota Members Share Federal Diesel Retrofit Grant Award

Crystal Yates — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 19:09:03 +0000

In July, as part of a highly-competitive national grant competition, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) awarded $156 million in clean diesel grants, including $3 million to the Minnesota Environmental Initiative to support voluntary retrofit efforts by members of AGC of Minnesota and other diesel users throughout the state. The money will be used to [...]

EPA Considers Rules for Coal Combustion Waste; AGC Looks at Impact to Construction

Crystal Yates — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 18:42:04 +0000

New safety concerns regarding the management of coal combustion wastes may spark first-time federal rules that could jeopardize the future use of fly ash in the construction of roads and buildings. Last December, a containment failure at a Tennessee-based waste impoundment released approximately 1 billion gallons of coal ash sludge into the adjoining rivers and [...]

Special Invitation to Regional Conference Calls on Environmental Issues

Crystal Yates — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 14:25:21 +0000

During October, AGC of America will hold regional town-hall-style conference calls on environmental issues. The calls are free and open to members of AGC's Environmental Network and AGC Chapter Staff. Participants will hear brief updates on the hot environmental topics of the day. The calls will provide time for participants' questions and discussion of their [...]