In a letter sent to Rep. Lynn Woolsey, Chairwoman of the House Subcommittee on Workforce Protections, and Rep. Tom Price, the Subcommittee’ Ranking Member, ż CEO Steve Sandherr made the point that construction jobs meet all the criteria of the loosely defined “green job.”This criteria includes:Improving the environment;Offering good-paying jobs;Offering opportunities for advancement;Are jobs that cannot be outsourced; andEncouraging participation by a diverse population.The letter was sent to the subcommittee in response to a March 31 hearing it held to “examine green jobs and their role in our nation’s economic recovery.”ż’s letter emphasized how large a role the construction industry plays in a green economy, how important it is to capture all of the green work that the industry does – including recycling at the highest levels of any industry – and the need to provide training for traditional crafts that may “benefit by, but do not need, training in green practices in order to work successfully on a green project.”Further, ż stressed the need for the federal government to avoid over-defining “green jobs” so that it excludes large segments of the industry and highlighted the many ways that ż, its members and Chapters promote training and construction in environmentally sound and “green” practices.The full text of the ż letter is posted here.
On April 10, 2009, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published in the Federal Register a proposed rule that would require reporting of annual greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from a wide range of sources, including all facilities that produce cement and manufacture lime. The agency is seeking public comment on the proposed threshold for reporting and whether to include monitoring and reporting requirements for in-use fleets, as well as other provisions in the proposed rule. Comments are due June 9, 2009.
Included in the draft climate and energy legislation proposed by Representatives Henry Waxman (D-CA) and Ed Markey (D-MA) Tuesday would require state and local transportation planners to link transportation and land-use decisions. This provision would likely make it more difficult for transportation planners to meet mobility needs through projects that add highway capacity.
Representatives Henry Waxman (D-CA) and Ed Markey (D-MA) Tuesday unveiled a 648-page draft global warming and energy bill that would establish a cap and trade program to curb U.S. greenhouse gas emissions by 20 percent below 2005 levels by 2020 and by 83 percent by 2050. The draft bill would also create a nationwide renewable energy electricity standard that reaches 25 percent by 2025, new energy efficiency programs, place limits on the carbon content of motor fuels, and require greenhouse gas standards for new heavy duty vehicles and engines.
ż member Don Weaver (Weaver Bailey Contractors, El Paso, Arkansas) testified on March 19th before the U.S. House Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming regarding green construction practices in the construction industry. Weaver called for new federal incentives to encourage recycling of construction materials and purchase of more efficient construction equipment. He also stated that tax credits and incentives would reduce greenhouse gas emissions, boost economic activity, cut waste and lower construction costs.
ż member Don Weaver (Weaver Bailey Contractors, El Paso, Arkansas) testified today before the U.S. House Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming regarding green construction practices in the construction industry. Weaver called for new federal incentives to encourage recycling of construction materials and purchase of more efficient construction equipment. He also stated that tax credits and incentives would reduce greenhouse gas emissions, boost economic activity, cut waste and lower construction costs.Noting that construction equipment accounts for only 0.86 percent of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions according to the EPA, Weaver (left) said that the construction industry has a long history of developing techniques and practices that enhance the environment. He also noted that the federal government can assist in these practices by offering appropriate incentives.ż supports the creation of a federal investment tax credit for contractors to replace their existing diesel powered equipment, including front loaders and on-site generators. Such an incentive would cut diesel fuel consumption and reduce emissions of diesel particulates and black carbon. ż also encourages federal and state agencies that commission construction projects to use local materials to save fuel and reduce emissions.To view a copy of Don Weaver’s full testimony, please visit www.agc.org/advocacy/environment.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed tighter controls on stormwater discharges from construction sites - called effluent limitation guidelines (ELG) - which could cost the industry nearly $2 billion annually. Use ż's Regulatory Action Center to submit customized comments to EPA today! The construction industry may comment only until February 26, 2009.
The recently-passed stimulus package includes $300 million to clean up diesel engines nationwide and could result in grants of more than $1 million for ż Chapters to distribute to member companies. The grant funding has increased six-fold from fiscal year 2008 and is designed to help construction companies and other diesel users reduce emissions from their fleets, as well as promote economic recovery and preserve/create jobs.
The recently-passed stimulus package includes $300 million to clean up diesel engines nationwide and could result in a grant of more than $1 million for ż Chapters to distribute to member companies. The grant funding has increased six-fold from fiscal year 2008 and is designed to help construction companies reduce emissions from their fleets.ż members are encouraged to work with their local Chapters to begin preparing project proposals immediately. While EPA officials will explain the grant process at ż's 90th Annual Convention in San Diego, March 4 at 8:30 am, ż expects EPA to post online its official "Request for Applications" (RFA) in early March and hold it open for only 45 days (anticipated deadline for submitting proposals is April 13). Due to increased funding and compressed timelines, ż encourages Chapters and members to begin work on proposals as soon as possible. The request for applications will be available at http://www.epa.gov/otaq/diesel/grantfund.htm and http://www.recovery.gov.EPA's diesel funds will cover: up to 100% for EPA-verified "retrofit" technologies (emission filters/catalysts), idle reduction technologies, and EPA-certified engine upgrades (kits only); 75% for engine repowers (new engine); and 25% for all vehicle or equipment replacements. EPA grants cannot fund the cost of emissions reductions currently mandated under federal, state or local law. Money will be awarded in May 2009; those projects that receive funding must be implemented between June 9, 2009 and September 30, 2010.For more information, click here or contact Leah Pilconis at (703) 837-5332 or pilconisl@agc.org.
Join us at the San Diego Convention Center on March 4-7, 2009, for ż's 90th Annual Convention/Constructor Expo and attend 12 programs that focus on green construction and environmental regulatory issues. The Constructor Expo will also feature a "green pavilion" showcasing environmentally-friendly technologies, materials and products.