Author: agcnews

AGC is pleased to announce the appointment of new members to serve on its Environmental Committee. Members of the committee have direct access to federal regulatory officials, influence over AGC’s environmental agenda, and a means to exchange valuable information with one another and industry peers. Join us in welcoming the new members. New MembersAnthony Curcio, Iron Woman ConstructionAndrew Krentz, Blythe Construction (Hubbard Construction)Theresa Lehman, Miron ConstructionPhilip Ryder, Ames Construction, Inc.Matthew Smith, GZA GeoEnvironmental, Inc.Christine Williams, Granite Construction CompanyMark Winslow, Gilbane Building Company Existing MembersChair: Amethyst Roebuck, PAR Electrical Contractors, Inc.Kyle Baker, Mortenson ConstructionDavid Bufo, McCarthy Holdings, Inc.Brittany Russell Conrady, Kiewit…

Austin’s Spire Consulting Group was named as the 2023 Diverse Business of the Year award winner by the Associated General Contractors of America, association officials announced today. The association also awarded Diversity and Inclusion Excellence Awards, sponsored by WTW, to Hensel Phelps, Gilbane Building Company, Battaglia Associates, Inc.; and Bermudez Longo Díaz Massó, LLC. “The intent of these awards is to identify the construction and related businesses that are leading the way in making our industry more inclusive and more diverse.” said Lester C. Snyder, the association’s 2023 president and executive vice president of Brightline West in Las Vegas, Nevada. “We want to…

AGC provided input to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) at its March 23 “listening session” focused on the likely creation of a federal enforcement discretion policy to help address some of the unfounded and misplaced legal risks and cost to industry (i.e., potentially responsible parties) stemming from the agency’s recent regulatory proposal to designate two of the most widely used per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) as hazardous substances. AGC has been raising the alert to Congress and EPA that certain regulatory approaches to address PFAS could overwhelm cleanup initiatives and drastically impact liability for general contractors on everyday projects for…

On March 28, AGC responded (via individual and coalition comments) to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) premature revision to the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for particulate matter (PM). AGC supports the establishment of reasonable air quality rules that are necessary, based on sound science and measurably improve public health. However, this proposal would greatly increase the stringency of the PM NAAQS ahead of schedule, without clear justification in the science, and contrary to the Administration’s commitment to improve infrastructure and create jobs. Geographic areas that cannot meet these standards could face sanctions, such as a loss of federal highway funding or…

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently released the Spanish language version of its Construction Inspection Training Course. (The English version of the training is online here.) Construction site operators permitted under EPA’s 2022 Construction General Permit (CGP) are required to ensure that any individual conducting site inspections is a “qualified person.” The 2022 CGP includes new requirements for qualified persons that apply to all sites that receive permit coverage on or after February 17, 2023. After this date, an individual may be considered a qualified person only if they: EPA’s construction inspection training course and exam are available for use by any interested…

AGC volunteers came together for the 2023 Operation Opening Doors Charity Project at the Las Vegas Boys & Girls Club, focusing their efforts on renovating the gym to enhance the future well-being of the children. This project highlights the positive impact that dedicated community service can have, ensuring that the children have a well-maintained space to play, learn, and grow. Join us in San Diego, California for next year’s charity project!

Hensel Phelps was recognized for having the nation’s top construction safety and health program in 2022 by the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC). The association, which oversees the prestigious AGC-WTW Construction Safety Excellence Awards, an annual ranking of construction safety and health programs, noted that 47 other companies were also selected as winners for their commitment to safety and occupational health management and risk control. “We invest so much time and energy in organizing what is a very rigorous awards program because this is a vehicle for elevating the safety and health of the industry” said Dan Fordice, the association’s president and vice-president of…

Construction employment increased in 45 states in February from a year earlier, while 24 states added construction jobs from January to February, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released by the Associated General Contractors of America today. Association officials said the annual job gains are a sign that demand for construction remains robust and continued to caution that labor shortages are holding many firms back. “Unfavorable weather may have held back construction in many states last month compared to January,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “But construction employment continued to expand almost everywhere in February compared to a…

At the AGC Annual Convention in Las Vegas, Nevada, the Highway and Transportation Division by acclamation elected Jeff Firth as Chairman for 2023-2024. Jeff is the Vice President of Hamilton Construction, in charge of company operations and contract management. With over 27 years of estimating, engineering, and project management experience on complex, heavy civil bridge and highway projects in Oregon and Washington, Jeff provides critical executive oversight on Hamilton’s most complex and demanding projects, as well as insight on elements of open-book accounting, value-engineering, preconstruction technical approach and management. Jeff is actively involved in his local AGC chapter in Oregon. He also…

In a recent article reporting on the National Labor Relations Board’s (NLRB or Board) decision in McLaren Macomb, which changes the Board’s approach to the lawfulness of key provisions often found in severance agreements, we indicated that the NLRB’s general counsel would eventually issue guidance on questions arising as a result of that decision. That day has come. On March 22, 2023, NLRB General Counsel Jennifer Abruzzo issued Memorandum GC 23-05, Guidance in Response to Inquiries about the McLaren Macomb Decision. The Guidance covers a range of topics and questions of importance to employers. Abruzzo starts off the Guidance describing the holding of McLaren Macomb: “the Board…