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Over the last several months, the U.S. Green Building Council and the Green Building Certification Institute have been forging new relationships as well as strengthening existing ties with other organizations.  Those working on Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) and other green projects (such as Sustainable SITES) will be impacted by these developments.

In August, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) updated its Rainfall Erosivity Factor Calculator, which can help you determine the value of the rainfall erosivity factor (R-factor) on a small construction project (disturbing less than five acres).  Small construction sites with an R-factor of less than five (5) qualify for a waiver from stormwater permitting requirements in areas where EPA is the permitting authority.  Certain state permitting authorities also may accept low erosivity waivers.

AGC submitted detailed comments on a proposed rule by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that would give the agency the authority to cut into the paychecks of those who have unpaid debts, such as a fine or penalty for an alleged environmental violation. EPA would be allowed to garnish up to 15 percent of the “disposable pay” of delinquent debtors who do not work for the federal government via a process known as administrative wage garnishment (AWG) – all without a court order.

Joins Real Estate and Development Groups in Submitting Comments AGC and 11 other groups active in the real estate development, construction, and management fields called on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the US Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) to categorically exclude municipal separate storm sewer systems (MS4s) from being considered “waters of the U.S.” (WOTUS) in official comments submitted to the agencies’ proposed rulemaking.

U.S. EPA is blocking its science advisers from speaking freely to the public and the press, according to a letter sent to EPA chief Gina McCarthy by journalism and scientific advocacy groups. At a recent closed-door meeting of the EPA’s Science Advisory Board, the entity that EPA convenes to independently review the scientific underpinnings of many of the agency’s rulemakings, EPA issued a memorandum outlining the policy for EPA advisers to handle inquiries from the press and the public. Science advisers are directed to refer those requests to EPA employees so that the Office of External Affairs can determine the agency's response.

Comment on Massive Expansion of Federal Jurisdiction in ‘Waters of the U.S.’ Proposed Rule UPDATE: The agencies have extended once again the public comment period on the WOTUS proposal to Nov. 14, 2014. AGC encourages members to use our template letter in the Regulatory Action Center to help craft their comments to EPA and the Corps on the agencies’ proposal. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce also is circulating a set of comments, which are designed to highlight the business/industry objections to the rulemaking. AGC of America is joining the Chamber’s effort in addition to comments that AGC already filed on municipal separate storm sewer systems (MS4s), additional forthcoming AGC of America comments, and forthcoming comments from the Waters Advocacy Coalition, where AGC sits on the steering committee. ****

The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) Office of Federal High-Performance Green Buildings is currently holding a series of task group conference calls related to net-zero energy buildings and building labels in advance of a GSA Green Building Advisory Committee (GBAC) meeting scheduled for September 2014.  The task groups are preparing final recommendations to propose to GSA for consideration at the GBAC meeting.

Government Agencies Make Commitments in Support In July 2014, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), along with six other government agencies, committed to support specific green infrastructure* initiatives through an inter-agency collaborative led by EPA.  Participating agencies include the U.S. Department of Transportation, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Department of Interior, U.S. Department of Defense, and U.S. Department of Energy.

Members and chapters encouraged to apply: deadline is 10/31. AGC of America is proud to announce the launch of the 2015 AGC/Alliant Build America and the AGC in the Community competitions.  AGC encourages all member companies in good standing who meet the competition requirements to apply.  With several categories and types of projects from which to choose, including an environmental category, we hope there is a “right fit” for one of your projects. 

Last Chance to Comment on Contractor Survey The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is awaiting final approval from the White House to survey general contractors regarding their recent renovation, repair and painting (RRP) activities in public- and private-sector commercial buildings.  More data is needed on whether or not RRP activities in buildings expose the public to lead-based paint (LBP) dust. If EPA determines such activities create LBP “hazards,” the agency will write additional rules that will apply to building contractors.