Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are on the forefront of environment and energy discussions in the news and in state and federal policymaking. This Earth Day, AGC looks at the GHG emissions associated with the construction industry and challenges members to take a common sense approach to reduce emissions from their equipment. See press release.

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The House Energy and Commerce Committee will conduct four days of hearings beginning Tuesday to receive testimony on a 648-page draft global warming and energy bill introduced last month by Representatives Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) and Ed Markey (D-Mass.).  The draft bill would establish a cap and trade program to curb U.S. greenhouse gas emissions by 20 percent below 2005 levels by 2020 and by 83 percent by 2050.

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In a letter sent to Rep. Lynn Woolsey, Chairwoman of the House Subcommittee on Workforce Protections, and Rep. Tom Price, the Subcommittee' Ranking Member, AGC CEO Steve Sandherr made the point that construction jobs meet all the criteria of the loosely defined "green job."

This criteria includes:

• Improving the environment;
• Offering good-paying jobs;
• Offering opportunities for advancement;
• Are jobs that cannot be outsourced; and
• Encouraging participation by a diverse population.

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On April 10, 2009, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published in the Federal Register a proposed rule that would require reporting of annual greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from a wide range of sources, including all facilities that produce cement and manufacture lime. The agency is seeking public comment on the proposed threshold for reporting and whether to include monitoring and reporting requirements for in-use fleets, as well as other provisions in the proposed rule. Comments are due June 9, 2009.

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Included in the draft climate and energy legislation proposed by Representatives Henry Waxman (D-CA) and Ed Markey (D-MA) Tuesday would require state and local transportation planners to link transportation and land-use decisions.  This provision would likely make it more difficult for transportation planners to meet mobility needs through projects that add highway capacity.

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Representatives Henry Waxman (D-CA) and Ed Markey (D-MA) Tuesday unveiled a 648-page draft global warming and energy bill that would establish a cap and trade program to curb U.S. greenhouse gas emissions by 20 percent below 2005 levels by 2020 and by 83 percent by 2050.  The draft bill would also create a nationwide renewable energy electricity standard that reaches 25 percent by 2025, new energy efficiency programs, place limits on the carbon content of motor fuels, and require greenhouse gas standards for new heavy duty vehicles and engines.

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