Related Links: Copy of National Research Council report Engineering News-Record A recent National Research Council study of the Defense Dept.'s use of green-building certification systems concludes DOD should continue its current practices. They including using the U.S. Green Building Council Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), the Green Building Initiative Green Globes and other rating systems.But the authors of the NRC report also say that DOD should improve its evaluations of how its facilities actually perform in energy-efficiency and other green areas.The study found that although most certified green or high-performance buildings generally perform better than conventional buildings, some
Related Links: Bipartisan Group of Senators Outline Their Plans for Immigration Reform Workforce, Immigration Issues Loom Large for ABC Firms An agreement between union leaders and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce could set the stage for a bipartisan group of senators to introduce a comprehensive bill to revamp federal immigration policy within weeks. The group of eight senators is led by Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) and John McCain (R-Ariz.).AFL-CIO and Chamber officials said on March 29 that they had reached general agreement on two issues that had been sticking points in the talks. Both dealt with the guest-worker program. But some
Engineers Surprised by Damage To Modern Buildings in Christchurch Quake-Damaged Building Implosion in Christchurch One for the Books Demolition experts say one of the lessons learned in the ongoing recovery efforts after the 2011 earthquake in Christchurch, New Zealand, is that contractors should have more involvement in emergency preparedness.Meeting on March 23-26 in San Diego—in a state that potentially has much to learn from the New Zealand experience—the National Demolition Association
Related Links: Senate Spending Bill Would Restore Highway Funds (ENR.com 3/12/13) Budget Battle Heats Up on Capitol Hill (ENR 3/25/13 issue) Congress has cleared a six-month continuing resolution (CR) to keep federal agencies, including construction programs, operating through Sept. 30, when fiscal 2013 ends.The CR, which President Obama signed March 26, includes sequestration cuts, which affect many construction accounts. But the bill adds nearly $700 million to highway and transit programs, setting them at 2012 Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act levels.The House and Senate also have passed budget resolutions for fiscal 2014 that differ greatly. The
Related Links: NRC March 19 Memo Nuclear Energy Institute Response to decision on filtering rulemaking The Nuclear Regulatory Commission will adopt one recommendation from its post-Fukushima task force and postpone another.In a March 19 memo, NRC commissioners directed staffers to make final within 60 days requirements for hardened venting systems at 31 boiling-water reactors that have Mark I and Mark II containment designs.But the commissioners also said they will give the staff a year to produce a technical evaluation to support a rule-making on filtering systems to prevent significant radiation releases during potential accidents.While the Nuclear Energy Institute praised the
Related Links: Obama Feb. 6 remarks announcing intent to nominate Jewell Archived webcast of committee vote The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee has cleared the nomination of Sally Jewell, President Obama's pick to succeed Ken Salazar as Interior secretary.The panel approved Jewell on March 21 by a 9-3 vote. Jewell's nomination now goes to the full Senate.Critics say the former Recreational Equipment Inc. CEO lacks the experience needed to lead the Interior, but environmental groups support her nomination.
Related Links: Link to texts of Senate committee bill, manager's amendment, other approved amendments Lawmakers Eye Harbor Maintenance Fund's Surplus (ENR 2/11/13) A new Water Resources Development Act, or WRDA, has picked up steam in Congress. The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee on March 20 unanimously approved a bill that would authorize new Corps of Engineers projects, revise civil-works policies and give added financial help to get projects built.Industry officials say they welcome progress on the WRDA bill and generally support its provisions. But environmental groups contend some policy provisions would weaken key environmental laws."We're just really pleased that
Related Links: Text of Mikulski-Shelby Continuing Resolution proposal, before amendments Summary of CR House passed on March 6 Congress has approved a spending bill that will avert a shutdown and keep agencies operating through Sept. 30. Construction industry officials were pleased that the final version funds the federal highway program at levels contained in 2012's Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act, or MAP-21.The Senate on March 20 passed a continuing resolution (CR) drafted by Appropriations Committee Chairman Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.) with the panel's ranking Republican, Richard Shelby (Ala.). The House approved the Senate measure on March 21.
Related Links: House Budget Committee's Budget Resolution Document, Legislative Text, Tables Senate Budget Committee Measure, Summary, Legislative Text, Tables The next round has begun in Congress' long-running partisan fiscal fight. The focus now is a fiscal 2014 budget resolution. House Republicans and Senate Democrats have advanced sharply differing budget frameworks. Narrowing the wide gaps will be tough, particularly with blasts of criticism flying from both sides.At ENR press time, the House was close to passing a measure that Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) says would trim outlays by $4.6 trillion over 10 years, compared with current estimated fiscal-policy levels,
Related Links: Transcript of Obama remarks at Perez announcement Perez bio (from Dept. of Justice) President Obama announced on March 18 that he has picked Tom Perez, the head of the Justice Dept.'s civil rights division, to be the next Labor secretary.If confirmed, Perez would be instrumental in setting policy for such key construction issues as safety and health, prevailing-wage enforcement, workforce development and training and oversight of guest-worker programs.Under Hilda Solis, who stepped down as Labor secretary on Jan. 22, the department was viewed as being tough on employers. For example, during Solis' tenure, the department's Occupational Safety and