Government

Washington Observer; federal agency and congressional policy-setting, regulation and enforcement; budgets and taxation; project finance; state and local agency regulation and enforcement.

Latest Updates On The Coronavirus Pandemic

ENR tracks new industry impacts as COVID-19 forces project closures and interrupts global business.

Newark Airport's Terminal 1 Starts Spreading Its Wings

The $2.7-billion facility, New Jersey's largest-ever Port Authority NY and NJ project, is much-anticipated economic driver in virus-ravaged region, but COVID impacts could alter its scope and schedule.

ARTICLES

Infrastructure

Trump Signs Bill Providing $9.5B for National Parks Infrastructure

Tom Ichniowski

August 4, 2020

No Comments

Bill also establishes new parks and public lands fund to pay for infrastructure projects.

Industry Reacts to Trump Ban on Visa Holders' Federal Contract Work

Bruce Buckley

August 4, 2020

No Comments

Engineers' group says Aug. 3 order restricting H-1B holders on federal contracts doesn't square with country's practitioner shortage; TVA suspends outsourcing that triggered edict.

High Court Won't Stop Border Wall Work While Diverted Fund Lawsuit Proceeds

Mary B. Powers

August 1, 2020

No Comments

Majority allows construction until court decides merits of case against DOD budget raids next term; Justice Breyer wrote court dissent.

Infrastructure Needs

ASCE Highlights Construction-Ready Projects on New Map

Group Asks Congress To Pass COVID-19 Infrastructure Package

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Pam Radtke Russell

July 29, 2020

No Comments

The projects could put unemployed workers back to work and help resolve a backlog of infrastructure projects, ASCE says.

Water Infrastructure

House Passes New Water Resources Development Bill

Legislation authorizes about $9B for 38 Corps projects

Tom Ichniowski

July 29, 2020

One Comment

Next step is in the Senate, where committee-approved water infrastructure bills are waiting for a floor vote.

Economics

Mississippi River Mayors Say Revenues Down Due to Coronavirus, Forecast Lean Budgets

Hardest hit have lost tourism, sales and gas taxes

Jeff Yoders

July 29, 2020

No Comments

Mississippi River cities and towns are struggling with revenue loss from 10% to 30% as they continue to fight the ongoing pandemic and try to keep city services, including critical infrastructure, open.

NY, NJ, Virginia Add Key Milestones to Boost East Coast Offshore Wind Power

Mary B. Powers

July 29, 2020

No Comments

States make moves to add total of more than 7,500 MW of planned built capacity and supporting infrastructure

Stored-Power Gets FERC Boost to Compete with Traditional Generation

Mary B. Powers

July 29, 2020

No Comments

Federal agency gains court OK to expand stored power market in states where limited, but a new separate order is not favored by renewables.

Coronavirus and Construction

Senate GOP $1T COVID-19 Relief Proposal All But Omits Infrastructure

Tom Ichniowski

July 27, 2020

One Comment

Plan includes liability protection for employers, but no significant infrastructure funding

Environment

House, Senate DOD Bills Have Only Modest Impact on PFAS Chemicals

Pam McFarland

July 27, 2020

No Comments

Differing DOD bills have cleared each chamber, neither measure classifies PFAS as hazardous materials.

August 3, 2020

COVID-19 prevented this year’s group of national Top 20 Under 40 winners from meeting in person to share ideas for tackling key construction challenges, but the virtual voices of these visionaries came through loud and clear.

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