In a June 21 letter, AGC of America raised supply chain concerns stemming from a proposed rulemaking to impose Federal Implementation Plan requirements on twenty-six states as part of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) “good neighbor” plan related to the 2015 ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS). EPA’s proposal would add emissions budgets and limits on certain energy and, for the first time, industrial sources—including certain kilns, boilers, furnaces, and mills. Although not directly impacted, AGC members could experience disruptions in availability or cost increases for energy or materials key to construction such as cement, iron and steel, glass, chemicals, and paper products.
EPA’s proposal, intended to curb cross state air pollution, comes at a time when the construction industry is experiencing supply chain and fuel crises. Coupled with the short time frame to comply, AGC is concerned the proposal will only exacerbate these challenges. AGC urged the agency to engage further with impacted industries to find workable solutions.
For more information, contact Melinda Tomaino at melinda.tomaino@agc.org.