Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (the agencies) announced the pre-publication version of a proposed rule to rescind the Obama-era 2015 鈥淲aters of the United States鈥 (WOTUS) rule that defines what streams, wetlands and other wet areas are controlled by the federal government and subject to all the permitting and other requirements of the Clean Water Act. This action is the first step in a comprehensive, two-step process intended to review and revise the definition of WOTUS consistent with President Trump鈥檚 Executive Order on 鈥淩estoring the Rule of Law, Federalism, and Economic Growth by Reviewing the 鈥榃aters of the United States鈥 Rule.鈥
Construction employment increased in 245 out of 358 metro areas between May 2016 and May 2017, declined in 59 and stagnated in 54, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released today by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials noted that construction employment gains in many parts of the country are occurring even as most firms report having a hard time finding qualified workers to hire.
The U.S. Department of Labor has issued a proposed rule to rescind the controversial 鈥減ersuader rule鈥 issued by the previous administration. AGC plans to submit comments in support of the rescission prior to the August 11 deadline.
Legislation Includes Needed Reforms to Makes it Easier for School Districts to Teach Construction Skills and Improves Employer Engagement
Tell Gov鈥檛 What Rules Should Be Modified or Removed to Help Small Businesses
Forty-two states added construction jobs between May 2016 and May 2017 amid growing demand for construction services, while 25 states and the District of Columbia lost construction jobs between April and May as firms struggle to find enough workers, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of Labor Department data released today. Association officials said workforce shortages appear to be impacting construction employment in parts of the country.
Establishes New Office to Root out Inefficiency
On June 14, 2017, AGC hosted a meeting between AGC members and officials from the U.S. Department of Labor鈥檚 Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP). OFCCP requested the meeting for the purpose of identifying problems that construction contractors have in meeting affirmative action requirements related to recruiting and suggestions for improved compliance assistance tools.
Both Congress and the White House have turned to AGC for common-sense recommendations on streamlining the federal environmental permitting and review processes.
Last week, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt announced a one-year delay of EPA鈥檚 final designation of counties that are not attaining the 2015 ozone national ambient air quality standard (NAAQS). The 2015 standard tightened the existing 2008 standard from 75 parts per billion (ppb) to 70 ppb. Designations for the 2015 standard were originally due by this October. EPA is taking this additional time to review and re-evaluate many of the complicated issues that AGC raised in its comments on the proposed version of the 2015 rule.