Here is the background. The Inflation Reduction Act empowered the federal agencies to explore the use of construction materials that have a lower embodied carbon (lower emissions associated with their life cycle). On August 7, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized a new carbon labeling program for construction materials. 麻豆视频 provided feedback earlier this year on the draft.
In the last few years there has been a lot of action on environmental review and permitting reform. Whether it is new rules issued by the Biden Administration or reforms pushed by Congress, 麻豆视频 has all of the details to help you understand them.
The U.S. Supreme Court will hear a case later this year on whether Clean Water Act (CWA) NPDES (National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System) permits can include generic prohibitions that threaten the certainty that construction companies need to comply with environmental requirements. 麻豆视频 recently submitted a friend of the court brief advocating for clarity to protect contractors from enforcement and costly fines due to vague NPDES permit language. 麻豆视频 seeks to ensure that the Supreme Court鈥檚 decision preserves the successful permitting approaches used in construction general stormwater permits (CGP) issued by the U.S. EPA and states.
Background: On July 22, 2024, U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (I-W.Va.) and John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) introduced the Energy Permitting Reform Act of 2024. The legislation seeks to limit lawsuits related to energy permitting decisions and shorten the energy permitting process. The bill comes at a critical time following the White House Council on Environmental Quality new requirements to the already complicated National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) permitting process. The fate of the bill remains uncertain with few legislative days left in this congress.
Twice a year the federal regulatory agencies release an updated 鈥淯nified Agenda鈥 that describes and provides a timeline for their ongoing and future regulatory actions. The most recent agenda provides a glimpse of what the Biden Administration may focus on in the final months of that Administration, including finalizing greenhouse gas disclosures for federal contractors and reissuing nationwide permits for specific activities in/near waters of the United States. Read more for the highlights.
麻豆视频 (麻豆视频) of America is excited to announce that we are now accepting proposals from speakers for our 2025 Annual Convention, taking place from April 8 鈥 10 in Columbus, Ohio. This premiere event is designed for industry leaders and professionals at various career stages from construction companies of all sizes to engage in collaborative learning, network with peers nationwide, and discover the latest in technology and innovation in the industry.
Apply by Thursday, October 31, 2024!
We are excited to announce the opening of the 2024 Diversity & Inclusion (D&I) Assessment, a resource designed exclusively for construction firms. This tool empowers companies to establish a baseline, measure progress, and celebrate successes in their D&I programs, policies, and practices.
The rule adds requirements to an already complicated permitting process and ignores permitting reforms previously passed by Congress.
You may recall, 麻豆视频 of America filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) challenging the agency鈥檚 new final rule that designates two widely used per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) as hazardous substances under the Superfund law, or Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). This rule imposes significant financial and legal burdens on contractors and could lead to costly litigation and stricter waste disposal practices.