Author: agcnews

In this episode, we cover the steps the Biden Administration has taken related to construction and the environment. AGC’s Director of Environmental Services Melinda Tomaino walks you through the environmental highlights and headlines on WOTUS (waters of the United States), species-related issues, climate change policy developments and implications for projects, and environmental review and approvals. Find out how AGC is making timely decisions and setting priorities, the important role AGC plays in policymaking, and how you can get involved. Show Notes: Guest:Melinda TomainoDirector, Environmental Servicesmelinda.tomaino@agc.org@AGCEnvironment More Information:There are a few forums available for you to get involved –• Attend AGC…

AGC filed a joint April 18 “friend-of-the-court” brief in the case Sackett v. Environmental Protection Agency at the U.S. Supreme Court. The Court will take a fresh look at what are “waters of the United States” (WOTUS) under the Clean Water Act (CWA), which may limit federal agencies’ permitting and enforcement authority over construction work in isolated wetlands and ephemeral streams. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ (Corps) will need to factor the Court’s decision into their planned WOTUS rulemakings. AGC’s brief asks the Court to clarify the outer bounds of federal CWA authority by revisiting its fractured 4-1-4 ruling in Rapanos…

The history of the consulting contractor and their impact on this country and around world stands as a testament to the valued and unparalleled expertise which individuals have brought to the construction community. The purpose of the Council is to recognize those in our industry who have made significant contributions to the quality and professionalism associated with commercial construction professionals. Many in the industry have risen to prominence from small companies, while still others made their way in some of this country’s largest construction businesses. Yet today, and despite their chosen paths, each maintains an emphasis on quality of deliverables…

Construction Official Says New Guidance will Undermine New Bipartisan Infrastructure Measure’s Benefits, Adds the Kind of Red Tape that Betrays Americans’ Confidence in Federal Spending The chief executive officer of the Associated General Contractors of America, Stephen E. Sandherr, issued the following statement in reaction to the release today of new Buy America guidance from the Biden administration for projects being funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law: “AGC of America supports sensible efforts to effectively incentivize the growth of America’s domestic manufacturing capacity. Instead, the Biden administration is doubling down on failed procurement policies with its new Buy America mandate.…

Nora Degnan started in 2004 as a project estimator/project manager at Thorne Associates, Inc., a large drywall, acoustic ceiling, plaster, and carpentry specialty contractor in Chicago. Since then, she became a vice president and part owner alongside her dad, uncle, and cousin. In addition to her leadership roles in the office, Nora is involved on the board level in various local and national organizations including Chicagoland Associated General Contractors (CAGC), Chicago Building Congress (CBC), Midwest Wall and Ceilings Contractors (MWCC), and Mid-America Regional Bargaining Association (MARBA). She is also a proud member of the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) Chicago…

At the AGC Annual Convention in Grapevine, Texas, the Building Division by acclimation elected Shannon Sapp as Chairman for 2022-2023. Shannon first joined Merit Construction in 1996 after graduating from Auburn University in 1994 with a Building Construction degree. Shannon has been engaged in all facets of Merit projects including medical facilities, schools, historic renovations, churches, condominiums, and retail office buildings. As president of the firm, Shannon focuses his attention on the overall operations of the organization including finances, human resources, and administration.. Shannon is actively involved with the AGC Education and Research Foundation as well as the local Knoxville AGC Chapter. He…

Construction employment exceeded pre-pandemic levels in 32 states in March, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said the government should support more career opportunities to enable people to work in the industry. “Contractors have been adding workers as fast as they can find them,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “But there just aren’t enough qualified workers available in many states, as shown by the record number of construction job openings at the February.” Read more

Prices of materials and services used in new nonresidential construction jumped more than 21 percent from March 2021 to March 2022, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of government data released today. The association urged the Biden administration to relieve major cost pressures by removing the remaining tariffs on aluminum, steel, and Canadian lumber. “Construction firms have been burdened with cost increases of 20 percent per year or more since early 2021,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “Since contractors can seldom pass along increases on projects that are underway, these extreme price hikes threaten the…

Choate Construction Company was recognized for having the nation’s best construction safety and wellness plan in 2021 by the Associated General Contractors of America. The association, which oversees the WTW Construction Safety Excellence Awards, an annual ranking of construction safety programs, noted that 46 other companies were also selected as winners for the quality of their safety programs. “Safety and health is the number one priority for the construction industry and it’s important that we recognize our member companies for their efforts to lead by example,” said Bob Lanham, the association’s president and president of Williams Brothers Construction Co., Inc. in Houston, Texas.  “These awards also provides an…

Construction Safety Week started in 2014, when more than 40 national and global construction firms comprising the Construction Industry Safety Initiative (CISI) group and the Incident and Injury Free (IIF) Forum joined forces with a single aim: to inspire everyone in the industry to be leaders in safety. On this episode, Ken Aldridge of Aldridge Electric, and Mike Burke of Alberici Constructors, both serving as chairs on the Safety Week committee, share some history of the tradition, what this annual campaign means to them, and how you can participate. This year’s Safety Week will take place May 2-6, 2022. Visit…