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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.

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.

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 and responsibilities, as well as provide contractual best practices for building green projects.

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 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 runoff rulemaking.  The final industry questionnaire would require certain general contractors to provide detailed technical information for up to 10 projects completed in 2009 - including project type/size, stormwater management controls and associated costs, discharge permit forms - as well as company-wide financial information spanning the last five years.

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 concerns.  The bill aims to reduce U.S. GHG emissions by 20 percent below 2005 levels by 2020 and 83 percent below 2005 levels by 2050. 

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. 

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 needed, according to EPA, to allow the Agency sufficient time to develop a new CGP that incorporates the Agency's soon-to-be-finalized national stormwater effluent limits (see more information below).  EPA also has cited a variety of other "high priority" efforts that are competing for the Agency's attention.

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 report is available here.

Yesterday, Íæż½ã½ã 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.