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Earlier this week, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a request for further comment on a proposed regulatory program that would make every construction company’s stormwater permit records, inspection results and compliance history accessible to the public. As previously reported, the proposed National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Electronic Reporting Rule would require all construction site operators covered by an NPDES permit to submit a variety of permit-related information electronically instead of using paper reports. (See �鶹��Ƶ articles here and here for background information.)

December 15, 2014 l 2:00 - 3:30 p.m., EST Register now for �鶹��Ƶ’s Federal Stormwater Update webinar on December 15, 2014, from 2:00pm-3:30pm.  Just weeks ago, a company settled alleged stormwater violations at a construction site by agreeing to pay a civil penalty of more than $110,000.  Protect your company from costly fines, negative press and a soiled reputation!

After years of delay, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced on Nov. 26 that it is proposing to strengthen the federal ozone air quality standards to within a range of 65 to 70 parts per billion (ppb), while taking comment on a level as low as 60 ppb. The current ozone standard, set in 2008, is at 75 ppb.

�鶹��Ƶ Needs Your Help Confirming Whether the Cost Estimates Are Correct The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is exploring whether to expand its Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Program (LRRP) rule to cover construction work on existing public and private-sector commercial (P&C) buildings. The EPA has estimated how much it would cost YOU to meet its new lead-paint rules under consideration.   However, �鶹��Ƶ needs your thoughts on these EPA estimates to ensure they reflect real-world impacts of a potentially huge expansion of EPA’s current LRRP requirements.

�鶹��Ƶ Urges Federal Agencies to Withdraw Proposed Rule �鶹��Ƶ of America has presented a powerful case for why the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) should withdraw their proposal to redefine “waters of the United States,” concluding that it is simply too flawed to repair. �鶹��Ƶ filed a comprehensive 21-page letter on Nov. 13 that identifies practical problems with the proposal for the construction industry, based on input from �鶹��Ƶ’s members.

Tell EPA to Withdraw the Rule The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) have once again extended the public comment period on their jointly proposed rulemaking that redefines “waters of the U.S.” (WOTUS) under the Clean Water Act (CWA). The new comment deadline is Nov. 14, 2014. Use the �鶹��Ƶ Regulatory Action Center to submit comments on this rule.

Agency Seeks Input on Improvements The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently updated ChemView, an online tool to find information about nearly 10,000 chemicals regulated under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). �鶹��Ƶ members have reported that it is sometimes difficult to find useful information on chemicals used in construction – this new resource may assist contractors in evaluating chemicals and their potential hazards, as well as making more informed choices about the products they use on the job site. In addition, there are numerous green building rating systems that now “give points” for avoiding the use of certain chemicals.

Registration is now open for an �鶹��Ƶ Federal Stormwater Update webinar on Dec. 15, 2014, from 2:00pm-3:30pm.  The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sets construction site stormwater requirements for the entire country.  Hear straight from agency staff what contractors need to do to stay in compliance and what you can expect down the road.  Get the latest on the rules, tools, and technologies headed to your state.  We will also discuss what industry experts are seeing “in-the-field” as well as the dos and don’ts to meeting stormwater permit requirements. Click here to register now.

Early Registration Deadline Approaching No one knows the future, but gaining a comprehensive view of where you are, where you are going and where you need to be can only strengthen the educated decisions construction professionals have to make everyday. Tuesday, Nov. 4 is the early registration deadline for the 2015 �鶹��Ƶ Annual Convention, March 18-20 in San Juan, PR. Save $150.00 off standard registration rates, register today!

Get Started At Least 90 Days Before Your Current Approval Expires! It is time to start thinking about renewing your U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting (LRRP) program certifications. Any construction firm – or you/your employees – are subject to this rule if you perform work for compensation that disturbs lead-based paint in homes, child-care facilities or schools (with kids six years or younger) built before 1978. Remember that renovation firm and renovator certifications both expire every five years. EPA is encouraging contractors to show that they are an “EPA Lead-Safe Certified Firm” by displaying the agency’s new logo. Under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), EPA may file an enforcement action against violators of the LRRP rule seeking penalties of up to $37,500 per violation, per day.