The chief executive officer of the Associated General Contractors of America, Stephen E. Sandherr, issued the following statement in reaction to the release today of the Administration’s final rule reforming the National Environmental Policy Act Permitting Process:
“This updated review process will make it easier to rebuild aging infrastructure, attract private investment, support efforts to reinvigorate our economy and continue to provide strict protections for the environment. Given the broad, bipartisan support for improving infrastructure, these common-sense reforms should be widely embraced and supported.
“Significantly, under the final rule, projects still undergo an environmental review with public input. The key difference is that those reviews will last months, instead of years and it will become slightly harder for special interests to delay the process with unmerited lawsuits. Notably, the substantive environmental laws and requirements that come into play on every construction project remain unchanged.
“At a time when both political parties understand the best way to support the economy is by investing in infrastructure, this new rule will help ensure that civil works funding and public-private partnerships help create needed jobs and deliver results, instead of being mired in red tape and squandered on endless legal squabbles.”
Related Stories
Market Data | Dec 17, 2021
Construction jobs exceed pre-pandemic level in 18 states and D.C.
Firms struggle to find qualified workers to keep up with demand.
Market Data | Dec 15, 2021
Widespread steep increases in materials costs in November outrun prices for construction projects
Construction officials say efforts to address supply chain challenges have been insufficient.
Market Data | Dec 15, 2021
Demand for design services continues to grow
Changing conditions could be on the horizon.
Market Data | Dec 5, 2021
Construction adds 31,000 jobs in November
Gains were in all segments, but the industry will need even more workers as demand accelerates.
Market Data | Dec 5, 2021
Construction spending rebounds in October
Growth in most public and private nonresidential types is offsetting the decline in residential work.
Market Data | Dec 5, 2021
Nonresidential construction spending increases nearly 1% in October
Spending was up on a monthly basis in 13 of the 16 nonresidential subcategories.
Market Data | Nov 30, 2021
Two-thirds of metro areas add construction jobs from October 2020 to October 2021
The pandemic and supply chain woes may limit gains.
Market Data | Nov 22, 2021
Only 16 states and D.C. added construction jobs since the pandemic began
Texas, Wyoming have worst job losses since February 2020, while Utah, South Dakota add the most.
Market Data | Nov 10, 2021
Construction input prices see largest monthly increase since June
Construction input prices are 21.1% higher than in October 2020.
Market Data | Nov 9, 2021
Continued increases in construction materials prices starting to drive up price of construction projects
Supply chain and labor woes continue.