Registration and hotel reservations are open for the June 5 tour of the International Union of Operating Engineers鈥 brand new International Training & Conference Center in Crosby, TX.
Construction employment increased by 17,000 jobs in April and by 257,000 jobs over the past year while firms boosted pay to help recruit new workers, according to an analysis of new government data by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials noted that the increases in pay appear to be attracting more former construction workers back into the job market, but cautioned that labor conditions remain extremely tight.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is working to meet Clean Air Act deadlines to review, revise and implement national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) 鈥 with nitrogen oxides and ozone at the forefront of recent actions. President Trump recently issued a memo that directs the Agency and EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt to take a series of 鈥渁ctions鈥 to facilitate state and industry compliance with NAAQS and reduce barriers to economic growth. This includes decisions for the air permits needed to construct new facilities or to expand or modernize existing facilities. The memo notes that these air construction permits have become increasingly difficult to obtain as NAAQS have become more stringent. The White House said in a press release that the 鈥淎dministration will reform NAAQS implementation to provide States with a more efficient process and to promote economic growth."
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently proposed a rule that would streamline the regulation of hazardous waste aerosol cans (currently managed under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Subtitle C, generally because of their ignitability, and subject to stringent rules on handling transport and disposal) by adding them to the existing federal list of materials that can be managed under the universal waste management system. EPA鈥檚 universal waste rules provide a streamlined hazardous waste management system for common industrial wastes like batteries, pesticides, mercury-containing equipment, and lamps. (鈥淎uthorized鈥 states would choose whether or not to adopt the new universal waste rules into their state programs. Some states have already added them to their universal waste lists.) This would likely simplify handling and disposal for contractors and save firms money (e.g., no manifest required for transport). Notably, because aerosol cans are often the only hazardous waste stream produced on a construction site, classifying them as universal waste could change a company鈥檚 鈥済enerator status鈥 and exempt it from RCRA Subtitle C hazardous waste requirements. Universal wastes do not need to be counted toward a hazardous waste generator鈥檚 inventory for determining whether the generator is classified as a Very Small Quantity Generator, Small Quantity Generator, or Large Quantity Generator.
The construction industry can benefit from the federal funding for clean diesel activities available now. Non-profit organizations, like 澳门六合彩开奖预测 Chapters, are eligible to apply for funding. Construction companies may find themselves well positioned to partner with their local chapters or with other eligible agencies or organizations to create and implement clean diesel programs funded through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency鈥檚 (EPA) national clean diesel grant program.
Thirty-eight states and the District of Columbia added construction jobs between March 2017 and March 2018, while 29 states added construction jobs between February and March, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of Labor Department data released today. Association officials said the job gains are coming amid strong private-sector demand and new public-sector investments in school and airport construction.
On April 12, the U.S. Senate confirmed attorney Andrew Wheeler, former lobbyist and congressional aide, to serve as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency鈥檚 deputy administrator. 澳门六合彩开奖预测 had urged the Senate to confirm Mr. Wheeler鈥檚 nomination. If EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt were to leave the agency, Wheeler would be next in line to become acting administrator.
On April 18, 澳门六合彩开奖预测 submitted a response to the National Labor Relations Board鈥檚 Request for Information regarding representation-case procedures. 澳门六合彩开奖预测 also signed onto a response submitted by the Coalition for a Democratic Workplace (CDW). Both responses call on the Board to rescind or modify its 2014 rule that changed the procedures for union representation elections. The rule is often called the 鈥渜uickie鈥 or 鈥渁mbush鈥 election rule because it expedites the procedures in a way that can disadvantage employers that oppose a union organizing campaign.
Recent meetings and calls for action at the federal level indicate that the Trump Administration is mounting a coordinated and collaborative approach to target all sources of lead exposure. There are a slew of regulatory developments focused primarily on re-evaluating, clarifying, and potentially expanding the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency鈥檚 (EPA) current program that addresses lead paint hazards 鈥 the Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) program. In addition, federal agencies are considering other sources of lead exposure, including drinking water and soil. Following is an update on federal activities related to lead pipes, paint, and dust.