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The Office of Advocacy, an independent office within the Small Business Administration (SBA), has submitted their formal comments to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) concerning the proposed rule redefining “waters of the U.S.” and the scope of the Clean Water Act’s jurisdiction.

The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) Green Building Advisory Committee is recommending that all federal agencies move towards net-zero energy at their facilities, including the retrofit of existing facilities and targets for new construction.  Specific recommendations were called out for GSA; its Office of Federal High-Performance Green Buildings has been exploring whether to make net-zero energy commitments at its facilities, as previously reported by AGC.

Accepting Pledges Now Through November 10! AGC has renewed its commitment to holding an annual Hard Hat Recycling Challenge as part of America Recycles Day this November 15th.   Will you accept the challenge?

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is evaluating whether or not to add ammonium nitrate to the list substances regulated under its Risk Management Plan (RMP).  EPA's announcement comes as a request for information, which often signals a federal agency's intent to pursue notice-and-comment rulemaking.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently published notice that it would not be revising its regulations on backup generators in response to three petitions for reconsideration it had received after it promulgated its final rule in January 2013. The NESHAP (National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants) rule had sparked controversy, because EPA allowed backup generators to operate for up to 100 hours a year, though EPA did require use of ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel beginning in January 2015.

You can help focus AGC’s green building efforts to better meet your needs. AGC’s Director of Green Construction is inviting green building professionals who work at member firms to participate on a “brainstorming” conference call on October 20 from 1:30 to 2:30 PM Eastern Time about AGC’s green building resources.

Workers who use paint strippers containing methylene chloride, also known as dichloromethane (DCM), are at risk for cancer and other health problems, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said in an assessment released on Aug. 28. EPA estimates that over 230,000 workers nationwide are directly exposed to DCM-based strippers. The findings of EPA’s final risk assessment could move the agency to regulate DCM.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has identified areas in six states as not meeting the new, more stringent National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) for fine particulate matter (PM2.5), set back in 2012. But the rest of the country is not in the clear because EPA is expected to tighten the ozone NAAQS to a level that would put an area in almost every state in violation – and impose unprecedented clean-up costs. Already states are struggling to secure the emission reductions they need to develop “approvable” state implementation plans. EPA is expected to soon publish a finding that at least two states with nitrogen dioxide nonattainment areas failed to submit adequate air plans, potentially leading to Clean Air Act sanctions.

AGC Explains Legal Limits to Mandates on Stormwater Retention, Flow or Impervious Surface Area As previously reported, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has stopped work to promulgate a new national rule to restrict the discharge of stormwater from developed sites (after construction is complete). That’s the good news. The troubling news is that EPA continues to carry out the objectives of its deferred rulemaking via its existing permit process for municipal separate storm sewer systems (MS4s), which is legally questionable. AGC members should be on the lookout for new requirements that limit stormwater flow or impervious surface area at developed sites, as well as unmanageble mandates to retain runoff onsite to mimic pre-development conditions. AGC has a “toolbox” of resources available to help you respond.

Earlier this week, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 5078, the Waters of the United States Regulatory Overreach Protection Act, by a vote of 262-152. This bill would halt the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ (Corps) proposed rulemaking that redefines “waters of the U.S.” under the Clean Water Act (CWA).  It would prevent the agencies from finalizing the rule and require that they consult with state and local governments to form recommendations for a consensus regulatory proposal.