Author: agcnews

As part of his approach to addressing climate change, President Biden signed an executive order that directs a pause on entering into new oil and natural gas leases on public lands or offshore waters, as well as a rigorous review of existing leasing and permitting practices related to fossil fuel development and doubling renewable energy production from offshore wind by 2030. The order does not immediately affect the substantial number of leases entered into during the Trump administration. While AGC and its members look forward to new clean energy construction market opportunities, the association remains concerned about impacts to traditional energy markets…

In a January 27 Executive Order, President Biden initiated steps to mobilize the entire federal government to address climate change from every sector of the economy – and to motivate states and other countries to do the same. The EO falls short of declaring a climate emergency; however, it tasks the federal agencies to make and act on recommendations related to climate policies, environmental justice, labor, national security, energy, and conservation. The EO recognizes the need for construction workers to build a new “clean energy economy.” It calls for broad adoption of resiliency to climate change and charges agencies to ensure that…

On January 21, President Biden issued an executive order (EO) calling on Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to issue revised COVID-19 guidance to employers by February 4. In addition to issuing revised guidance, OSHA must consider if an emergency temporary standard (ETS) is necessary, including the necessity for masks in the workplace. If an ETS is deemed necessary—which AGC expects OSHA to do—the agency must issue the standard by March 15. The EO further directs OSHA to launch a national emphasis program (NEP) to focus enforcement efforts on COVID-19 violations in workplaces that place large numbers of workers at risk and to respond to any retaliatory…

In just one week in office, President Biden has issued 21 executive orders, a figure surpassing former President Obama’s 20 executive orders issued over the course of all of 2013. However, it is important to note that many of these orders by and large do not have immediate practical impacts on federal regulations applicable to the construction industry. It will take many months and even years before the vague directions set forth in many of these orders become more detailed, final regulations. In that intervening time, rest assured, AGC is well-prepared, well-seasoned and fully equipped to ensure the best possible regulatory…

On Dec. 23, 2020, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized its penalty rule that increased the maximum civil penalties per violation of an environmental statute or agency regulation. These annual adjustments are required by the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Improvements Act of 2015. Below are the new penalty maximum levels to account for inflation. In practice, fines tend to track the perceived or actual economic benefit derived from the violation(s) – consistent with applicable EPA penalty policies. These amounts apply to statutory civil penalties for violations that occur or occurred after November 2, 2015, where penalties are assessed on or after…

Construction employment in December remained below pre-pandemic levels in two-thirds of the states even though 37 states and the District of Columbia added construction jobs from November to December, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of government employment data released today. Association officials said the new data highlights how broadly the industry has been impacted by the pandemic and underscores the need for additional coronavirus recovery measures. “While most states recorded construction employment gains in December, the pickup is likely to be temporary for many,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “Participants in our association’s recent…

2020 was a rough year for networking events. After the CLC of Middle Tennessee’s “Ugly Christmas Mask” holiday event was cancelled due to city health regulations, they thought they were done for the year. But then the call came from the Ronald McDonald House of Nashville. The staff at the Ronald McDonald House of Nashville wanted to “Light up the House” for the holiday season. These families were under an extremely strict quarantine with their children in local hospitals. The staff wanted to bring some extra holiday cheer to their hearts. They immediately called the Construction Leadership Council and asked…

Despite restrictions to in-person gatherings during the 2020 holiday season, the General Building Contractors Association’s (GBCA) Construction Leadership Council (CLC) still found a way to support Philadelphians in need and provide some much-needed holiday spirit. In 2020, the CLC moved its holiday fundraising activities predominantly online. The CLC kicked off the holiday season before Thanksgiving, collecting food and funds for Philabundance, a local hunger relief organization. In partnership with the Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters and the Carpenter Contractor Trust, the CLC raised over $21,250, which purchased over 114,750 lbs. of fresh food! Several CLC members also collected…

Jolsna Thomas has over 14 years of experience in the construction industry originally focused on the law and then she branched into the areas of business development, marketing, sales, and nonprofit work. Thomas serves as Business Development Manager for Rosendin Electric, Inc., one of the largest employee-owned electrical contractors in the United States. In addition to leading Business Development efforts in Texas, she serves on Rosendin’s Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Committee and is President of The Rosendin Foundation, its 501(c)(3) charitable foundation. Thomas serves on the AGC of America Business Development Forum Steering Committee as well on the board of directors for the…

On December 15, 2020, the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) Wage and Hour Division (WHD) issued All Agency Memorandum (AAM) 235 rescinding AAM 212 and once again confirming that surveying work is not covered by the Davis-Bacon Act. At this time, it is unclear how the new Biden administration DOL will approach this particular situation. Many may recall AAM 212 (issued March 2013) which extended Davis Bacon coverage to those performing surveying work. It became clear pretty soon thereafter that a distinction had to be made about those who were salaried exempt and supervising the crew versus which tasks and workers which fell under…