News for Environmental
Legislature passes bill requiring building owners to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
Under bill E3SHB 1257, recently passed by the Legislature, many commercial office buildings will have to take actions to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Funding is available to help building owners in the transition. Plus, the bill requires new buildings with parking to provide electric charging stations.
Posted on: 04/23/2019
$15-B transportation package passes Senate Committee
Forward Washington — a comprehensive 10-year transportation and environmental plan to invest in infrastructure and green technology projects throughout the state — was passed out of the Senate Transportation Committee March 6.
Posted on: 03/12/2019
AGC opposes PSCAA fuel proposal
The Puget Sound Clean Air Agency is considering a regional low-carbon fuel standard (LCFS), and AGC is opposed. AGC is joining a coalition of business, agriculture and labor groups in requesting that PSCAA drop its proposal.
Posted on: 11/06/2018
AGC urges a NO vote on Initiative 1631
AGC is urging a NO vote on Initiative 1631, the carbon tax measure, and has officially joined the No on 1631 Coalition working across Washington to defeat this unfair tax measure in November.
Posted on: 09/11/2018
Learn more about DOE’s new Solid-Waste Handling Standards, effective Sept. 1
The Department of Ecology recently adopted long-in-the-making rule Solid-Waste Handling Standards. AGC, WACA and other groups worked to secure many improvements to earlier drafts of the rule. However, AGC members are encouraged to review the new rule and info provided by DOE.
Posted on: 08/13/2018
AGC opposes carbon-tax plan
AGC’s Board of Trustees voted to oppose Initiative 1631, which would enact a new carbon tax. Proponents are currently gathering signatures in hopes of getting the measure on the November ballot.
Posted on: 06/04/2018
Capital Budget and “Hirst fix” pass Legislature
AGC applauds passage of the long-delayed 2017-2019 State Capital Budget as well as passage of the water-rights “Hirst fix.”
Posted on: 01/30/2018
Legislature passes $4B construction budget, water-rights bill
State lawmakers late Thursday approved a $4.3 billion construction budget and legislation to address a rural water-rights debate that had stalled the spending plan since the spring of 2017.
Posted on: 01/19/2018
Harvey's aftermath will rattle construction supply chain, economists say
Hurricane Harvey’s immediate impact on the construction sector will be a disruption in the supply chain for key materials, along with scheduling problems for projects that were under construction.
Posted on: 09/08/2017
Attorney General’s Office seeks US Supreme Court review in culverts case
The Attorney General’s Office recently filed a petition asking the U.S. Supreme Court to review a decision by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in the “culverts case.”
Posted on: 08/28/2017
President Trump’s Executive Order seeks to expedite infrastructure projects
AGC of America reports that President Trump recently issued an Executive Order...
Posted on: 08/28/2017
How to handle an environmental inspection
The initial and most critical phase of an environmental enforcement action is the agency inspection of the event or facility.
Posted on: 08/01/2017
Construction stormwater general permit now in effect
Having satisfied all the elements involved in the appeal filed by AGC and partners, the Department of Ecology has announced that the modified Construction Stormwater General Permit is now in effect.
Posted on: 05/08/2017
After AGC protests, DOE pulls back for now on soil handling rules
DOE will issue a second draft of proposed solid-waste rules that could cause a contractor to unwittingly become subject to solid-waste landfill rules, or require satisfaction of onerous landfill post-closure care or financial assurance requirements.
Posted on: 11/29/2016
AGC opposes onerous soils-handling proposed regs
AGC is opposing Department of Ecology proposed solid waste rules that could cause a contractor to unwittingly become subject to solid waste landfill rules, or require satisfaction of onerous landfill post-closure care or financial assurance requirements.
Posted on: 09/19/2016
AGC’s new Environment Committee tackles proposed soils-handling regulations
AGC formed a new Environment Committee to address proposed regulations and legislation regarding environmental issues.
Posted on: 09/02/2016
Four-year process leads to draft EIS for Millennium project
More than four years after the permitting process began, Washington State DOE and Cowlitz County released the draft EIS for the Millennium Bulk Terminals-Longview project that would create a global export hub.
Posted on: 06/21/2016
Gov. Inslee announces new carbon-reduction plan
Gov. Jay Inslee recently announced his revised carbon reduction rule. Ash Grove Cement and Nucor Steel are among the businesses impacted by the rule.
Posted on: 06/06/2016
OSHA’s new silica rule imposes new regulations on many contractors
On March 25, 2016, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) published its final rule on occupational exposure to respirable crystalline silica (the “Silica Rule”).
Posted on: 05/23/2016
Free training on using DOE’s WQWebDMR portal
Facilities with an NPDES or State Waste Discharge permit are required to monitor discharge and submit reports
Posted on: 02/29/2016
Appeal of onerous stormwater permit continues
As reported in the previous AGC Works, AGC and other industry groups have filed an appeal of DOE’s new Construction Stormwater General Permit, which became effective Jan. 1.
Posted on: 01/19/2016
Unintended consequences of Governor’s carbon plan
Gov. Inslee has asked the Department of Ecology to write a rule that would cap and reduce carbon pollution (greenhouse gasses). Ecology is focusing on businesses and organizations (see the list here) that are responsible for producing 100,000 metric tons or more of greenhouse gases.
Posted on: 11/13/2015
Court issues nationwide stay of EPA/Corps' “Waters of the US” regulation
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit has issued a nationwide stay of the new federal regulation redefining "Waters of the U.S." (WOTUS) for the purposes of the Clean Water Act.
Posted on: 11/03/2015
Volunteers needed for AGC of America’s Environmental Steering Committee
Each year AGC of America seeks nominations for qualified and motivated individuals from the AGC Environmental Forum to serve on the steering committee for the forum. Would you like to play a leadership role in AGC of America’s environmental advocacy, education and outreach efforts?
Posted on: 11/03/2015
Volunteer sought for soil and sediment workgroup
AGC is looking for a volunteer to serve on the Soil and Sediment Workgroup a committee established by the Department of Ecology for the purposes of providing input on new solid-waste rulemaking activity. The workgroup will be creating definitions of clean soil which will include numeric analytica...