Get prepared now! Any construction company that wants to stay in compliance with the myriad of new and forthcoming stormwater runoff requirements needs an effective document management system. Sign up for ż’s Dec. 18 stormwater compliance webinar and learn how to use brand new “template” documents – created by US EPA with assistance from ż contractors – designed to keep projects in compliance.
Two Weeks Left to Submit a Presentation Proposal for the 2013 ż Contractors Environmental Conference
ż of America (ż) will hold its second national "Contractors Environmental Conference: Compliant. Competitive. Cost-Effective" on June 13-14 2013, at the Renaissance Capital View in Arlington, Va., right outside of Washington, D.C. We invite you to submit a proposal for a compelling educational presentation on environmental issues geared towards construction professionals.
On Jan. 8, 2013, from 2:00 - 3:30 p.m. ET, US EPA’s SPCC Technical Team Leader will give you the exact information you need on federal Spill Prevention Control & Countermeasure (SPCC) program requirements. This program applies in all 50 states and regulates any construction site that has the capacity to store more than 1,320 gallons of oil. Since EPA’s Nov. 2011 compliance deadline, ALL “regulated” jobsites must have a compliant SPCC Plan in place before starting work.
With America Recycles Day coming up on Nov. 15, members of ż’s Environmental Forum Steering Committee stepped forward to share their achievements and observations on how construction recycling goes much farther and tackles much larger amounts of material than everyday recycling. We have put together a document, in addition to this article, to really show just what ż members are doing to promote recycling.
In mid-October, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the recipients of the Diesel Emission Reduction Act (DERA) grants for fiscal year (FY) 2012. EPA awarded $30 million to fund projects designed to replace, retrofit or repower older diesel-powered engines like those used in construction equipment, commercial trucks and buses, marine engines and other applications.
If your company wants to stay in compliance with the myriad of new and forthcoming stormwater runoff requirements, you need an effective document management system. All stormwater permitting authorities require a site-specific Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) as well documentation of inspections, findings, and maintenance and repair of all BMPs. In the case of an audit or incident, government enforcers will want to see written proof of your compliance. This webinar will be held Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2012, from 2:00 - 3:30 p.m. ET.
If your Chapter has had a good experience with a speaker on environmental issues, please let them know about ż’s 2013 Contractors Environmental Conference: Compliant. Competitive. Cost-Effective. ż will hold this second national conference in early June 2013, in Crystal City, Va., right outside of Washington, D.C. We invite presentation proposals for compelling educational sessions on environmental issues geared towards construction professionals.
Forty years ago today, the primary federal law in the United States governing water pollution went into effect. The Federal Water Pollution Control Amendments of 1972, known as the Clean Water Act (CWA), became law after the bill was vetoed by President Nixon.
While it’s unlikely that the issue will be raised during a lame duck session of Congress following the November elections, ż will nevertheless continue to press for legislation that will keep the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from regulating coal ash residues, including fly ash, as a hazardous substance. Legislation (H.R. 2273) to preempt EPA from regulating the waste as hazardous and instead empower states to establish disposal programs was passed with bipartisan support in the House last October. H.R. 2273 was added as an amendment to the House-passed version of the transportation reauthorization legislation. However, when the reauthorization bill – MAP-21 – was reported from the House- Senate conference committee, this provision was dropped.
This month, the ż Environmental Forum and the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) held a virtual town hall to discuss some of the proposed changes to the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) green building rating system, with specific focus on how the changes may impact construction practices. USGBC is expected to open its fifth comment period on the new version of LEED on Oct. 2 and accept public input through Dec. 10.