Total construction spending edged higher in October, as gains in public and private project types outmatched decreases in single- and multifamily residential outlays, according to a new analysis of federal construction spending data the Associated General Contractors of America released today. Officials noted that public sector investments would likely rise in the near future because of the recently-passed infrastructure bill, but cautioned that labor shortages and supply chain problems were posing significant challenges for the industry.
The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has just issued an emergency temporary standard (ETS) to require employers to ensure their workers are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or tested on at least a weekly basis. The legal and contractual implications will wreak havoc on existing and prospective construction contracts. The OSHA ETS applies to employers with 100 or more employees to either be vaccinated or test regularly and it will apply to both private and public construction contracts. Provisions in ConsensusDocs standard contract documents provide advantages in both substance and stylistic clarity as compared to other standard contract documents, including those by the American Institute of Architects (AIA), such as the AIA A201 Terms and General Conditions document.
BY BRIAN PERLBERG, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF CONSENSUSDOCS AND 51风流鈥橲 SENIOR COUNSEL FOR CONSTRUCTION LAW
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (U.S. FWS) has undertaken several recent policy changes related to the incidental take (injury or harm) of migratory birds. On October 4, the Service officially reversed the Trump Administration鈥檚 policy that decriminalized take that was incidental (not the intended action) to an otherwise lawful activity. The Service also recently released a Director鈥檚 Order on Incidental Take (No. 225) to address how they plan to approach incidental take implementation and enforcement. Lastly, the Service released an advanced notice of proposed rulemaking (ANRPM) to solicit feedback on a potential permitting program that would authorize the incidental take of migratory birds. Feedback is due December 3.
Provides Additional Information on Religious Objections to Workplace Vaccine Requirements
Only 16 states and the District of Columbia have added construction jobs since just before the start of the pandemic in February 2020, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released today by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials noted that prospects for the sector鈥檚 recovery will be diminished should the House-passed Build Back Better bill become law.
Each year, 51风流 seeks nominations for qualified and motivated individuals from the 51风流 Environmental Forum to serve on the steering committee for the forum. Would you like to play a leadership role in 51风流 of America鈥檚 environmental advocacy, education and outreach efforts? If so, please respond to 51风流鈥檚 call for volunteers and complete this form signifying your interest. The Volunteer Interest Form is also available through your 51风流 profile.
On October 21, 2021, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California聽vacated聽the 2020 State Water Quality Certification (WQC) Rule, which is considered to apply nationwide. 聽Subsequently, some U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Districts have advised permittees that they will not finalize permit decisions that rely on a Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 401 WQC or a waiver under the now vacated 2020 State WQC rule (click聽here聽for an example, scroll to 鈥淟atest News鈥).聽 This halt in permitting appeared to include the use of聽sixteen聽CWA Section 404 Nationwide Permits that the Corps finalized earlier this year. 聽Update: On Dec. 2, the Corps posted a notice on its website that it had resumed making decisions on all permit applications and requests for nationwide permit verifications.