Related Links: More on Transocean case More on BP case More funds will go toward Gulf Coast cleanup and restoration as a result of a settlement announced on Jan. 3 between Transocean Deepwater and the federal government. In the settlement, Transocean Deepwater Inc. has agreed to plead guilty to violating the Clean Water Act and pay $1.4 billion in civil and criminal penalties for its role in the 2010 Deepwater Horizon disaster. Transocean was the operator of the drilling platform at the Macondo well that blew out in April 2010. Under the order, lodged with the U.S. District Court in
Related Links: Summary of House Appropriations Committee Sandy legislation Bill Summary and Status House Republican leaders announced on Jan. 1 that the chamber would not vote on a supplemental spending bill to fund Hurricane Sandy-related repairs as well as assistance to victims of the storm.The announcement came on the final day of the 112th Congress, effectively killing the bill for now and infuriating the governors and congressional delegations from New Jersey and New York, the states hardest hit by the ferocious late October storm.But House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) met with New York and New Jersey lawmakers on Jan. 2
Related Links: Nuke Waste Disposal Solution Still Elusive Biomass Seeks Roots Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), who will be the new chairman of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee in the next Congress, is formulating his agenda, but a central theme will be to help the U.S. move toward a low-carbon economy, a spokesman says.Keith Chu, a Wyden aide, says the incoming chairman "believes that investment in natural gas and in next-generation nuclear technologies should be part of that low-carbon energy portfolio." WYDENWyden thinks some types of renewable energy, such as hydropower, geothermal and biomass, have "gotten short shrift" and that more
Related Links: New York City Building Energy Use Report Called a Step toward Saving Energy Boston-based WegoWise, a building-performance analytics startup, says it was able to identify $137 million in lifetime energy savings in 2011 for buildings that are part of Mass Save's Low-Income Multifamily Program, which invests in energy-efficiency upgrades in low-income housing facilities across Massachusetts.The multiyear program is being implemented by the Low-Income Energy Affordability Network (LEAN) and the Mass Save sponsors—Massachusetts utility companies—that have used the WegoWise platform to track and benchmark energy and water use at more than 45,000 low-income multifamily units in the state. Barun
Related Links: EPA Issues tougher Soot and Fine Particle Standard EPA Page on Cross-State Air Pollution Rule EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson announced on Dec. 27 that she will step down from the agency’s top post after President Obama’s state of the union speech in January.Under Jackson’s leadership, EPA established fuel efficiency standards for cars and light trucks and implemented several air-related regulations to reduce emissions of soot, mercury, sulfur dioxide and other pollutants, including carbon dioxide. JACKSONAlthough environmental groups praised Jackson for her leadership, Republicans in Congress and industry often criticized the EPA as being too heavy-handed in its approach.
Related Links: After Elections, Construction Looks for Action on Key Issues MAP-21 Transportation Measure Goes on the Books New Corps of Engineers Commander Bostick Taking Stock High Court Declines to Hear Jacobs' Appeal of Minnesota Bridge Case During the contentious and costly 2012 elections, construction industry and union groups poured more than $139 million total into federal campaigns. But after the votes were in on Nov. 6, the balance of power was little changed between the parties.Industry, which generally backed Republican candidate Mitt Romney, and organized labor, which supported the victorious President Obama, both predict a second Obama term will
Related Links: EPA's PM standard info EPA non-attainment areas The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has issued tougher air-quality standards for soot and other fine particles, setting the annual health standard at 12 micrograms per cubic meter, compared with the current standard of 15 micrograms per cu m.EPA officials say the health benefits of the final regulation, announced on Dec. 14, include thousands of lives saved and will far outweigh the costs. In a call with reporters, EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson and Gina McCarthy, EPA assistant administrator for air and radiation, said the benefits could range from $4 billion to $9
Related Links: Shuster's voting record for 112th Congress (Washington Post database) Rep. Bill Shuster official bio One of the most crucial House committees for the construction industry will get a new leader when the 113th Congress convenes in January. House Republicans on Nov. 28 picked William "Bill" Shuster (R-Pa.) to be the next chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.The T&I panel oversees most major federal public-works programs, including highways, transit, airports, Corps of Engineers civil works and Environmental Protection Agency wastewater treatment.Major issues facing Shuster when he takes the gavel next year include drafting a new Water Resources Development
Related Links: Link to opinion in Arkansas Game and Fish Commission v. U.S. on Supreme Court website High Court Hears Property Takings Case The U.S. Supreme Court ruled Dec. 4 against the federal government in a property “takings” case involving water releases from an Army Corps of Engineers Dam. The court also heard oral arguments in two Clean Water Act cases on Dec. 3 and 4.Although none of the cases touched on the broader question of federal versus state jurisdiction in issuing permits, construction groups are keeping a watchful eye on all three. Nick Goldstein, American Road & Transportation Builders
Related Links: Shuster Voting Record (Washington Post Database) Transportation and Infrastructure Committee homepage Rep. Bill Shuster (R-Pa.), will replace John Mica (R-Fla.) at the top post of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee at the beginning of the 113th Congress in January.The House Republican Conference made the announcement that it had selected Shuster, who has served on the committee since coming to Congress in 2001, on Nov. 28. Shuster has previously served as chairman of the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials, and as chairman of the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.Mica, who will begin
