Author: agcnews
The construction industry added 19,000 jobs in July even as the sector’s unemployment rate increased, according to an analysis of new government data the Associated General Contractors of America released today. Association officials noted that tight labor conditions are bringing more previously employed construction workers back into the job market as firms continue to boost pay levels. “The construction industry continues to add workers at a steady clip as demand for many types of construction remains strong,” said Stephen E. Sandherr, the association’s chief executive officer. “Firms are boosting pay to cope with tight labor market conditions, which is bringing more former…
The Biden Administration has proposed new changes to a suite of rules that would significantly affect the applicability and implementation of the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The proposed revisions reverse reforms made by the prior administration to regulations governing the listing and delisting of species and plants, the designation of critical habitat and the interagency consultations that are part of the approval process for projects that involve federal permits or funding. One change, in particular, would upend longstanding policy and require offsets to any impacts that cannot be avoided through the “reasonable and prudent measures” (RPMs) that project proponents currently…
The White House Council on Environmental Quality proposed rule ignores recent NEPA amendments included in the debt limit deal. The Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) has proposed another round of modifications to its regulations that govern how federal agencies assess the environmental effects of their proposed projects, programs, and permitting prior to making decisions. On its face, the proposal implements AGC-backed permitting efficiencies directed by Congress in recent statutory amendments in the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 – including setting hard deadlines and page limits for agencies’ reviews, adding a process for a federal agency to use another agency’s categorical exclusion. But the devil is…
Construction employment increased in 221, or 62 percent, of 358 metro areas between June 2022 and June 2023, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of new government employment data. Association officials said the job gains in many parts of the country would have been higher if firms could find more workers to hire. “Demand remains strong for many types of construction projects in much of the country,” said Stephen E. Sandherr, the association’s chief executive officer. “But it remains difficult for many firms to find enough workers to hire to keep pace with that strong demand.” Read more.
Watch the recap from AGC’s Federal Contractors Conference where construction industry leaders and federal agency counterparts came together for a powerful discussion on real-time business impacts. Be sure to attend next year’s conference at the Ritz Carlton in Washington D.C.
The annual Transportation Construction Coalition Fly-In was held on Tuesday, May 16th. The event featured speakers from Capitol Hill and the Biden administration. It was a great opportunity for AGC members to meet with dozens of senators and representatives as well as strengthen our relationship with members of congress.
The House votes to repeal a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) rule. As a result of the rule, at least 3,000 projects already under construction will have to re-do their Endangered Species Act consultations, threatening schedules and even project feasibility. On July 27, the House of Representatives voted with AGC to repeal a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) rule uplisting from threatened to endangered status under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) the Northern Long Eared Bat found in 37 states. AGC supports the effort to repeal the rule because, the Service: The Senate voted to repeal the rule on May 11. President Biden is…
Two Pittsburgh area AGC chapters, the Master Builders’ Association of Western Pennsylvania (MBA) and the Constructors Association of Western Pennsylvania (CAWP), have teamed together to launch a new mental health initiative for the Pittsburgh area construction industry. By posing a simple question, “Yinz Good?” (Pittsburghese for “Are you okay?”), the initiative encourages individuals to engage in conversations about mental health and eliminate the stigma surrounding mental health issues in the workplace. The program reflects the CAWP and MBA’s dedication to the health and welfare of the construction industry’s workforce. By offering a comprehensive collection of resources through a dedicated website,…