Related Links: Summary of S. 761 Letter opposing amendmends to bill Advocates of an energy-efficiency bill in Congress are hopeful the measure can pass both chambers sometime this year.The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee on May 8 approved S.761 by a voice vote. However, three GOP senators said they wanted to go on the record as voting against the measure. At the meeting, ranking member Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) said, "It's encouraging to see senators from both sides of the aisle coming together to work on bipartisan energy legislation." Committee Chairman Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) added, "To anybody who calls this
Related Links: U.S. Court of Appeals for D.C. Circuit May 7 Ruling NLRB Fact Sheet on Posting Requirement In a victory for employers, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit has quashed the National Labor Relations Board's "posting requirement" rule, which the agency issued in August 2011.The final rule, which has not gone into effect because of the legal dispute, requires most businesses to post notices in conspicuous places informing workers of their rights under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA). Some of those rights include forming, joining or assisting a union as well as collectively bargaining through
The four U.S. groups representing the interests of about 40,000 structural engineers have formed a coalition to promote structural-engineer licensing—a somewhat controversial subject among professional engineers. To date, 11 states have some form of SE licensing, which the structural groups maintain is critical for public safety."It is very important for us to really speak with one unified voice on the issue," said Sam A. Rihani, the 2013 president of the American Society of Civil Engineers' Structural Engineering Institute (SEI), at the group's 2013 Structures Congress, held on May 2-4 in Pittsburgh and attended by
Related Links: EPA's response to Sandy and guidance to states on funding Hurricane Construction Crews Converge for Hurricane Repairs, Restoration The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced on May 2 that it would provide $569 million to New York and New Jersey for improvements to wastewater and drinking water facilities hit by Hurricane Sandy last year.The funds were appropriated in the post-Sandy spending bill, which was signed into law in January. The Sandy bill contained $600 million for improvements to treatment plants affected by the monster storm. With the sequester in place, the number was trimmed to $570 million.A total of
White House photo by Chuck Kennedy Obama announces his selection of Pritzker for Commerce secretary, Froman for U.S. trade representative. Related Links: Pritzker bio Froman bio (from State Dept. 2009) Seeking to fill top economic posts in his administration, President Obama has selected Chicago businesswoman Penny Pritzker as his nominee to lead the Commerce Dept. and White House aide Michael Froman to be U.S. Trade Representative.The choices, announced on May 2, are of keen interest to design firms, contractors and construction equipment and materials companies that want to expand their business overseas or fight what they view as unfair trade
Related Links: Disputed Shift by Insurance Brokers Entangles Contractor Clients Watch Out for Workers' Comp Costs Effective this March, the Insurance Services Office (ISO) revised its forms and endorsements for commercial general liability. This latest round of CGL changes is the largest the industry has seen in years. Major and minor modifications, along with new endorsements, could significantly affect, and in some cases narrow, the scope of CGL coverage moving forward. While insurers are obligated to notify insureds about changes that affect policy coverage, as always, the burden of due diligence ultimately falls on contractors to understand their coverage and
Related Links: Text of Senate-passed Bill Sequester's Construction Cuts Exceed $4 Billion (ENR 3/2/13) Industry officials are disappointed a newly approved bill lets the Federal Aviation Administration shift construction funds to pay for the cancelled furloughs of air traffic controllers.The Senate passed the bill on April 25, the day it was introduced, and the House cleared it on April 26. President Obama is expected to sign the bill.The bipartisan action was sparked when the FAA, citing mandatory budget sequester cuts, began furloughs on April 21, which caused flight delays. Under the sequester, which took effect on March 1, most FAA
Related Links: Keystone XL Pipeline Clears a Hurdle EPA's April 22 letter The significance of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's critique of the State Dept.'s draft supplemental environmental impact statement for the Keystone XL pipeline is, apparently, in the eye of the beholder.Proponents of TransCanada's $5.3-billion project say EPA's April 22 letter to the State Dept. is nothing more than a call for tweaking the environmental document to address some lingering issues. However, opponents say EPA's comments pose important questions.Sabrina Fang, an American Petroleum Institute spokeswoman, says the project "is safe and will create tens of thousands of well-paying jobs.
Related Links: April 23 Court Ruling (PDF) Earthjustice Amicus Brief The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit has handed environmental groups a victory in their battle to restrict mountaintop removal mining, but coal advocates say the recent decision is not necessarily the death knell for the practice.The appeals court ruled on April 23 that the Environmental Protection Agency has the authority under the Clean Water Act to retroactively veto a previously approved U.S. Army Corps of Engineers dredging permit.In 2011, EPA overturned a 2007 Corps permit issued to the Mingo Logan Coal Co., a subsidiary of
Related Links: Foxx bio Obama remarks announcing Foxx's selection Moving to fill one of the few remaining Cabinet vacancies for his second term, President Obama announced on April 29 that he will nominate Charlotte, N.C., Mayor Anthony Foxx to lead the U.S. Dept. of Transportation.FoxxIf the Senate confirms Foxx, he would face major infrastructure issues. Topping the list, construction and transportation industry officials say, is finding a way to shore up the ailing Highway Trust Fund and provide more-assured financing for roads and transit beyond next year.In addition, DOT like all federal agencies, will continue to face severe near-term pressure