The Appropriations Committee of the U.S. House of Representative voted to cut about $3 billion from the military construction budget for FY 2015 when compared to FY 2014 funding levels.
The Army would see the sharpest cuts on a percentage basis, with a $578 million, or 52% reduction in FY 2015. However, a provision in the bill provides the Army, Army National Guard, and Army Reserve Accounts an additional $245 million for use and disbursement at the discretion of the Secretary of the Army.
The Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) program, encompassed in the Navy and Marine account, would see a $631 million, or 39%, cut in FY 2015.
The Veteran’s Administration, also impacted by this budget proposal, would be funded at the same level as in FY 2014 ($1.057 billion). The funds for FY 2015 would be evenly split between the two primary VA construction accounts.
The VA’s Major Construction Account—for projects over $10 million—would increase from $342 million in FY 2014 to $561 million in FY 2015. The Minor Construction Account—for projects below $10 million—would decrease from $714 million to $495 million.
The House bill figures are identical to the president’s FY 2015 budget request.
(http://news.agc.org/2014/04/25/house-panel-approves-fy-2015-milconva-funding/)
Related Stories
| Nov 6, 2014
Demountable structural steel could up the ante on sustainability
Demountable structural steel assemblies would be a greener way to make use of steel in the construction industry than recycling.
K-12 Schools | Nov 6, 2014
New Sandy Hook school features could influence security standards
The design of the new Sandy Hook Elementary School on the site of the 2012 Newtown, Conn., school shooting features enhanced security measures—some subtle and others more prominent.
| Nov 6, 2014
OSHA seeking input on electrical standards
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is reviewing electrical standards for the construction industry to make sure proper safeguards are in place as electrical wiring is being installed and maintained.
Smart Buildings | Oct 30, 2014
Energy Department pledges $9 million for energy efficiency improvements on commercial buildings
The U.S. Dept. of Energy will spend $9 million to encourage investments in energy-saving technologies that can be tested and deployed in offices, shops, restaurants, hospitals, hotels and other types of commercial buildings.
| Oct 30, 2014
Steel Framing Industry Association’s certification program aims to ensure connector quality
The Steel Framing Industry Association has launched a certification program to ensure that cold-formed steel connectors meet quality guidelines, building codes, and ASTM standards.
| Oct 30, 2014
American Concrete Institute releases reorganized structural concrete code requirements
The reorganized document is organized from an engineer’s perspective. The requirements flow more intuitively and have fewer cross-references for improved logic and flow of information.
| Oct 30, 2014
USGBC pushes back LEED v4 deadline
Extending the deadline gives LEED users additional time to prepare for LEED v4, the latest version of LEED, which features increased rigor and multiple updates.
| Oct 24, 2014
Solar panels could be required on most new construction in San Francisco
A San Francisco city councilor will propose a new regulation that could soon mandate solar panels on most new construction in the city and on many existing apartment buildings.
| Oct 24, 2014
International WELL Building Institute launches green building standard
The International WELL Building Institute has launched the WELL Building Standard Version 1.0, which focuses on enhancing people’s health and well-being through the built environment.
| Oct 24, 2014
Seattle's Bullitt Center influencing codes and public policy on sustainability
The Bullitt Center in Seattle, which some say is the world's most efficient office building is not only influencing how other structures are built, it is contributing to revisions of codes and public policy.