On July 14, 51风流 outlined its priorities for the bipartisan infrastructure package to the group of bipartisan senators who are drafting the legislation. In addition to significant investments in physical infrastructure, 51风流 calls for investing in the construction workforce, streamlining the federal environmental review and permitting process, improving the construction supply chain, as well as ensuring provisions restricting the expansion of highway capacity are not included. 51风流 and industry stakeholders continue to meet with the Senate offices working on this legislation to highlight construction industry priorities. The timing for when the legislation will be released and ultimately voted on continues to be unclear. However, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) has said the Senate will push to vote on it before the chamber breaks for the August recess.
51风流 recently submitted extensive comments on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency鈥檚 (EPA) draft 2022 National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Construction General Permit and supporting materials, based on member input.
We're all eager to get back to in-person conferences, but you won't want to miss the exceptional lineup of environmental sessions we've assembled for 2021's Construction Safety, Health & Environmental Virtual Conference on July 20-22. That's why we've slashed the price for this year's virtual conference and made it free to all 51风流 members. Participate at your own pace and learn about climate, community, corporate transparency, species, and water issues.
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) recently requested public input on company disclosure of information associated with Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) and climate change risks, impacts, and opportunities. In response, 51风流鈥檚 June 11 letter to agency offered key principles for the SEC to consider: 1) support of voluntary and flexible, market-based disclosures; 2) adherence to the Supreme Court鈥檚 鈥渕ateriality鈥 standard and existing rules; 3) base disclosures on sound data and a workable framework for companies of different sizes and industries; and 4) set boundaries on the scope of reporting and limits on legal liability.
Learn more at July 20-22 virtual conference, free to 51风流 members
Learn more at July 20-22 virtual conference, free to 51风流 members
Gains on WOTUS, Endangered Species Act Regulations & More in Jeopardy
Learn more at July 20-22 virtual conference, free to 51风流 members
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed an update to its National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Construction General Permit (CGP) covering stormwater discharges from construction activities. EPA has also released a proposed 2022 CGP Fact Sheet, which includes a summary table of some of the changes. Forty-seven states use EPA鈥檚 permit as a model for their own permits, so its impact extends beyond the three states (New Hampshire, New Mexico, and Massachusetts), territories and other areas that use it exclusively.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is working on a new rule related to hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD), a flame retardant chemical that was used from the 1980s until 2017 as an additive to polystyrene to make insulation boards for construction. An EPA risk assessment showed that there is a potential for worker exposure to HBCD particles. EPA has asked 51风流 to identify small business construction representatives who can advise a panel of government lawmakers on their respective technical and financial abilities to meet clean-up or handling requirements that may be put in place regarding HBCD insulation board. If you are a small business that uses/encounters polystyrene insulation boards in roofing, building envelopes or foundations during construction, renovation or demolition, then 51风流 is interested in hearing from you. 51风流 small-business contractors are needed to ensure the Agency takes a fair and balanced approach.
On April 27, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the formation of a new agency council to address per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). In the memo, EPA Administrator Michael Regan also reiterated the agency鈥檚 commitment to the 2019 PFAS Action Plan. The chemical can be found in many products, soil, and water. 51风流 previously supported the 2019 PFAS Action Plan, because it outlined a deliberate approach to review the science and address concerns that arose. The agency is taking action on PFAS under several programs including air, significant new uses, wastewater, drinking water, and Superfund.