Author: agcnews

The rule adds requirements to an already complicated permitting process and ignores permitting reforms previously passed by Congress. On Tuesday, June 18, Senators Joe Manchin (D–W.Va.), Dan Sullivan (R–Alaska) and Congressman Garret Graves (R–La.) introduced an AGC-supported Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution to nullify the White House Council on Environmental Quality’s (CEQ’s) final rule, “National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Implementing Regulations Revisions Phase 2”. You may recall, AGC previously reported on this rule when it was released in May. The NEPA Phase 2 rule elevates climate and community impacts—requiring extensive review of effects, alternatives analysis, and mitigation on top of an already protracted process. Through this…

You may recall, AGC of America filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) challenging the agency’s new final rule that designates two widely used per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) as hazardous substances under the Superfund law, or Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). This rule imposes significant financial and legal burdens on contractors and could lead to costly litigation and stricter waste disposal practices. We need your help! To proceed in this lawsuit, AGC will need to show it has members that are impacted by this rule. We need members to share examples of real-world impacts to their firms. If you…

AGC has notched some big wins in the courts in the last year and hopes to carry that momentum with litigation to protect construction companies. You may recall, last summer AGC had three wins at the Supreme Court in the Ciminelli case, Sackett case, and the Glacier Northwest case. The judicial advocacy continues as AGC is actively challenging government overreach in the courts — AGC’s involvement as a party/plaintiff in these lawsuits was made possible thanks to your contributions to the Construction Advocacy Fund. Keep up with the latest AGC Judicial Advocacy News. Listen to AGC’s ConstructorCast to learn more about the intricacies of the association’s litigation program.

We are excited to announce the opening of the 2024 Diversity & Inclusion (D&I) Assessment, a resource designed exclusively for construction firms. This tool empowers companies to establish a baseline, measure progress, and celebrate successes in their D&I programs, policies, and practices. The construction industry has made significant strides in fostering inclusive workplaces, but measuring progress remains a challenge. The D&I Assessment addresses this need by providing a comprehensive and confidential platform for benchmarking against industry peers. It is the only tool tailored specifically for construction companies, allowing for a more accurate assessment on your company’s current D&I efforts. Why Participate…

Chicagoland AGC’s CLC hosted a beach cleanup on Thursday, May 23rd as part of the Alliance for the Great Lakes’ Adopt-a-Beach program. The group’s young professionals gathered on the shores of Lake Michigan at Chicago’s iconic Oak Street Beach where they collected 306 pounds of litter in 40 trash bags. “When you can combine quality industry networking with a worthwhile volunteer activity that helps the environment and fellow Chicagoans,” Ben Penzick of member firm Dalux US described, “throw in food and drinks, and do it on a gorgeous day in downtown Chicago… there are few ways to host a better event!” As…

The Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service issued final regulations on the prevailing wage and apprenticeship (PWA) requirements related to increased credit or deduction amounts for certain clean energy incentives, enacted as a part of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). The IRA provides increased credit or deduction amounts for taxpayers who satisfy certain PWA requirements regarding the construction, alteration or repair of certain clean energy facilities or properties, projects or equipment. By satisfying the PWA requirements, taxpayers can generally increase the base amount of the credit or deduction by five times. The Inflation Reduction Act was intended to spur…

ACC New Jersey’s Construction Industry Career Day offers a unique platform for individuals to explore rewarding opportunities within the construction sector. Attendees like Marvin Malone, who transitioned from a white-collar career to the trades, find the event invaluable for gaining hands-on experience and real-world insights. The event provides a chance for participants to interact with industry professionals, understand the various trades, and learn how construction roles are vital to the country’s infrastructure. With opportunities to meet instructors and industry veterans, attendees are inspired to pursue new career paths and gain the security of a stable job in construction. The Career…

On June 10, AGC of America, and several of its members, took to the witness stand in federal court to halt three unfair provisions in the new Davis-Bacon final rule impacting its coverage to truck drivers, contractors with material supply operations, and where an owner fails to include the requirement in the bidding documents/contract. Doug Walterscheid (J. Lee Milligan Inc., AGC of Texas member), John Ramage (71 Construction, AGC of Wyoming member), Doug Tabeling (Carroll Daniel Construction, Georgia AGC member), and Jimmy Christianson (AGC of America) testified in the U. S. District Court for The Northern District of Texas in…

AGC recently released a new resource that provides contractors with tools to communicate effectively with project teams and successfully navigate the complexities of carbon reporting for a project. It describes a process for identifying accountability, what to track and report, and how to do so. Next steps? AGC has some options for you to learn more about the playbook and carbon reporting in general. The market demands for carbon reporting, low embodied carbon materials, and lower emissions projects continue to grow. AGC will continue to provide education and outreach on this topic to help contractors prepare to succeed on these…

This week, AGC of America, in collaboration with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the National Waste Recycling Association, filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) challenging the agency’s new final rule that designates two widely used per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) as hazardous substances under the Superfund law (also known as Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (or CERCLA). This rule imposes significant financial and legal burdens on contractors and could lead to costly litigation and stricter waste disposal practices. AGC supports a measured and science-based approach to cleaning up PFAS contamination, emphasizing that contractors will be on the…