Related Links: Construction Users Roundtable EPA's Stormwater Pollution Prevention for Construction Activities Owners, contractors and other industry participants joined in Washington, D.C., to preview and debate market prospects and how risk-taking and value creation are key connections for the the industry's future.Michael Shapiro, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency deputy assistant administrator of water, emphasized to the Sept. 11-12 conference, sponsored by ENR and owners group Construction Users Roundtable, the agency focus on sustainability. Infusing traditional infrastructure techniques with green steps can help build "21st-century urban stormwater management systems … to achieve the most sustainable use of water," he said.Rayola Dougher, senior
Related Links: Summary of House-passed stopgap bill Senate Democrats' letter on CR's highway, transit funding cut vs. MAP-21 The House has approved a temporary spending measure that would avert a shutdown of federal agencies on Oct. 1 and keep federal construction and other programs operating through the first six months of fiscal year 2013.House passage of the continuing resolution (CR) came on Sept. 13, on a 223-196 vote. The next step is action by the Senate, which is scheduled to hold a procedural vote on the measure on Sept. 19.The CR, which would extend to March 27, 2013, provides a
Related Links: Civilian BRAC Bill to Dispose of Excess Federal Assets Faces Challenges in Senate GSA Blasted at House Hearings Tough challenges await Dorothy Robyn when she takes over as the General Services Administration's Public Buildings Service commissioner in a few weeks.The Dept. of Defense deputy undersecretary for installations and environment moves to PBS at a time when the White House and Capitol Hill critics want to trim the agency's vast real estate portfolio. Robyn also inherits a sharply reduced construction budget. Further, she joins GSA after a regional PBS office was tarnished by scandal in the spring for sponsoring
Related Links: New NRC Chief Outlines Key Priorities Court Rules to Freeze New Construction Licenses on Nucelar Reactors The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has directed its staff to revise within 24 months a key nuclear-waste rule and develop a general environmental impact statement in response to a recent federal court ruling.The regulation deals with "waste confidence," a generic finding that spent nuclear fuel can be stored for decades beyond a reactor's licensed operating life without significant environmental harm. NRC says the rule enables it to license or renew the license of a reactor without examining the effects of extended waste storage
Photo by AP Wideworld Obama continues to call for more infrastructure funding, but deficit worries are likely to squeeze public works and other programs. Related Links: Democratic Party 2012 National Platform When it comes to critical issues, such as infrastructure spending and regulatory policy, construction-industry officials have a clear idea of what to expect if President Obama wins re-election. In short, they expect a second Obama administration would pursue the legislative and regulatory priorities it has followed since 2009.This déjà vu picture has a second aspect: With Republicans predicted to keep control of the House and at least narrow Democrats'
Related Links: White House, Congressional Leaders Strike Deal on Budget Key House Vote Looms in September for U.S.-Russia Trade Bill As the House and Senate return from their August recess, little action is expected before lawmakers leave again in early October to campaign for the Nov. 6 elections. The only must-pass pre-election bill affecting construction programs is a temporary spending measure to keep federal agencies operating through March 2013.Construction-equipment companies and other business groups are hopeful Congress also will pass a trade bill aimed at boosting U.S. exports to Russia.Jay Hansen, National Asphalt Pavement Association executive vice president, says, "I
Photo courtesy of AP Worldwide Some in the construction industry are waiting for more information on Romney's plans. Related Links: GOP Platform Romney Energy Plan Would Ramp Up Domestic Production News Analysis: A Mitt Romney administration would knock down regulatory hurdles that get in the way of contractors and depart from President Obama's policies on labor and taxes. But how much a Romney administration would cut transportation and water infrastructure spending remains something of an open question, several sources say."I don't think anybody knows. The truth of the matter is, there is not a specific plank in either candidate's platform"
Related Links: U.S.-Russia Trade Bill on Fast Track to Passage (ENR 7/30/12) Text of House Ways and Means Committee-approved bill Construction-equipment manufacturers and other business groups are gearing up to push for House approval in September of a trade bill that observers say would expand U.S. exports to Russia.The legislation would grant Russia permanent normal trade relations (PNTR) with the U.S. That PNTR status would mean U.S. construction-equipment manufacturers would be eligible for tariff cuts and mechanisms for resolving trade disputes that Russia is putting in place as a new member of the World Trade Organization (WTO).Supporters of the pending
Related Links: ARTBA comments filed on fuel standard, trust fund impact DOT fuel-economy Web page, including final rule, fact sheet The Obama administration has approved new, tougher fuel-economy standards for cars and light trucks that Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said will save motorists more than $1.7 trillion in fuel costs and trim U.S. fuel consumption by 12 billion barrels by 2025.But construction industry officials worry that the projected fuel saving from the new Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards also will translate to a deep cut in projected gasoline and diesel tax revenue flowing to the Highway Trust Fund. The
Related Links: Link to text of Romney's energy white paper Presumptive Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney’s energy plan, released on Aug. 23, seeks a dramatic increase in domestic oil, gas and coal production, which he said would create jobs in construction, manufacturing and other sectors.In his plan, Romney calls for North American energy independence by 2020, with a prime focus on increased exploration for fossil fuels in the U.S. He also pledges to approve the controversial Keystone XL crude oil pipeline project, and expand offshore oil and gas drilling, particularly off the coasts of Florida and Virginia.In perhaps the most
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