Government | Engineering News-Record

Government

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

Terminated Keystone XL Oil Pipeline Site Closure Steps Are Still in Play

Rival Enbridge Line 3 wins key Minnesota court ruling June 14 to move construction to expected year end completion, while scuttled $8B Keystone had tough road after Biden permit halt, as owner weighs options for pipe laid in Canada and stored.

Construction Workforce

With Solid November Jobs Gain, Construction Workforce Nears Pre-Pandemic Level

Tom Ichniowski

December 3, 2021

No Comments

The unemployment rate was up from October level but has improved year over year.

Transportation Infrastructure

DeFazio, Key House Lawmaker on Infrastructure Issues, Won't Run for Re-election

Tom Ichniowski

December 2, 2021

No Comments

Committee chair has played a role on highways, transit, water and rail legislation.

Transportation Infrastructure

Houston Bridge's Revised Design Adds $300M to Price

Houston Ship Channel span redesign replaces concrete with steel

James Leggate

December 1, 2021

No Comments

The Houston Ship Channel Bridge project will resume after design concerns halted work.

Federal Contracting

US Energy Dept. Awards Latest Nuclear Complex Megacontract

Mary B. Powers

December 1, 2021

No Comments

Fluor-led team gains performance-based award to manage construction and operations at DOE Oak Ridge, Tenn. and Texas-based Pantex complexes valued at up to $2.8B annually for a possible 10 years.

Materials

US Doubles Tariffs on Canadian Softwood Lumber and Contractors Expect Higher Prices

Economists say the action will increase prices and constrain supplies

Jeff Yoders

November 30, 2021

No Comments

Pleas from Canada and from U.S. contractors fail to dissuade the Biden administration.

Coronavirus and Construction

Court Pauses Federal Contractor Vaccine Rule in Three States

COVID-19 mandate stayed in Kentucky, Ohio and Tennessee, but lawsuit's merits await further debate

Debra K. Rubin

November 30, 2021

No Comments

In first major federal ruling on contractor mandate, Kentucky judge supports claim of unclear government authority in suit by attorneys general in that state, Ohio and Tennessee, but declines to order nationwide injunction.

Governors Await Federal Funding Guidelines for Infrastructure

Tom Ichniowski

November 30, 2021

No Comments

The Federal Highway Administration launches a "one-stop shop" for infrastructure act information.

Infrastructure

Industry Groups Seek US COVID-19 Aid for Projects Slowed by Supply Chain

James Leggate

November 30, 2021

No Comments

AGC, ARTBA, AASHTO and others want the US Treasury Dept. to clarify use of American Rescue Plan spending.

Environment

Hampton Roads, Va., $2B Clean Water Upgrade Gains From Data

US Justice Dept. modifies consent decree in federal court filing

Pam McFarland

November 29, 2021

No Comments

Measuring projected outcomes reduces amount of work originally mandated under a 2010 consent decree to reduce nutrient pollution into the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

Massachusetts Leaves Transportation Climate Initiative

Regional emissions reduction plan withers as states cut support

Jim Parsons

November 29, 2021

No Comments

State is latest to drop from regional emissions-reduction pact amid pandemic economic concerns and potential effects on rising fuel prices

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