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Some states feel that President Bush's administration has watered down the rules benefiting the old powerplants and therefore, five states are now bypassing the Environmental Protection Agency and are taking legal actions against utilities that are violating the clean air rules. Tighter environmental regulations may discourage some new investment in generation facilities as costs go up, but could also promote the building of new plants based on cleaner technology.

Discusses the expectation of U.S. powerplants from the pollution-control retrofit market. Prediction of U.S. flue-gas desulfurization market; Efforts of powerplants for emission control; Role played by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for pollution control; Response of various environmental groups to the pollution; Contribution of industrial plants in comparison to powerplants. INSET: Retrofit Programs Challenge Ingenuity.

Presents various news related to the U.S. construction industry as of November 4, 2002. Plans of Quincy, Massachusetts-based National Fire Protection Association to offer technical seminars at its conference in Atlanta on November 16-20; Agreement between Solutia Inc. and the Environmental Protection Agency for the cleanup of contamination near a polychlorinated biphenyls site in Anniston, Alabama.

Focuses on the development of wetlands in the United States. Excavation of wetlands in Washington state; Law prohibiting wetland degradation in North Carolina; Actions taken by the US Environmental Protection Agency.

Reports on the debate involving Congress, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the courts over the stricter proposed standards for air pollution in the United States. EPA's proposal regarding the ambient air quality standards in November; Effects of the proposed standards on the construction industry; Need to study the scientific necessity for making the changes.

Reports that the United States Congress passed a budget on April 25, 1996 which was signed by President Bill Clinton. How the budget affected the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other government bodies; Information on how money was allocated for the EPA and other agencies; Removal of environmental riders on the budget. INSET: At last, funds for 1996..

Reports on the effect of budget cuts in the United States on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and EPA contractors. Budget predictions; Effects on the Superfund fund program; Comments from key persons.

This article presents news briefs related to construction projects related to various administrative agencies in the U.S. The independent Base Realignment and Closure Commission (BRAC) in the U.S. formally recommended to shut 22 major installations of the Department of Defense (DOD) and make changes at 33 other large posts. Those results differ from DOD's own plan, released in May, which called for closing 33 bases and realigning 29. For construction, a key figure is the $21 billion in "one time up-front costs" that BRAC says are needed to carry out its recommendation. The U.S. Senate beat back an effort by opponents to undo a controversial Environmental Protection Agency rule that regulates mercury emissions from powerplants for the first time. Opponents are mostly Democrats but also a few Republicans from states where the plan's "cap-and-trade" formula allows emissions that they believe is still high.

The article reports that with utilities and environmentalists both claiming victory after a recent federal appeals court ruling on Clean Air Act provisions, it is easy to be confused about the consequences of the June 24 decision upholding U.S. President George W. Bush's administration changes to the New Source Review program. The fight is over when owners of older coal-fired powerplants performing maintenance must install state-of-the-art emissions control equipment. A handful of states now are bypassing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and are taking direct legal action against utilities they believe are violating the clean air rules.

The article presents information related to various happenings in Washington D.C. The House added $626 million to 2006 funding its Appropriations Committee had allotted to Amtrak. To help pay for that hike, lawmakers slashed the General Services Administration's (GSA) renovations program by $568 million. The White House has nominated a House staffer and a private attorney to fill two long-vacant senior positions at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. F. Joseph Moravec, head of GSA's Public Buildings Service, said that he is returning to the private sector. Before GSA, Moravec worked for major real estate companies and was senior advisor for business development at George Washington University in Washington D.C.

This article reports that the U.S. Senate Republicans are struggling to find common ground with their Democratic counterparts to push ahead on a White House-backed bill to trim powerplant emissions. But the continued uncertainty over that legislation doesn't appear to be hampering design and construction firms that upgrade existing plants or build new ones. One reason is that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is set to unveil two separate final rules in mid-March to regulate mercury and require reduced emissions of other pollutants from facilities in 29 eastern states. Christy Zeltner, manager of market research for Black & Veatch Corp., Overland Park, Kan. On February 16, GOP leaders of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee delayed a scheduled vote on the Clear Skies bill when they realized they lacked support on the panel.

This article focuses on the follow up of pollution control policy as proposed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). A new EPA determination that scores of counties have too much pollution from soot and dust could have major fallout for construction. Areas that do not comply by 2010 with recently adopted standards for the microscopic particles could have millions of dollars of federal transportation funds withheld. On December 17, 2004 EPA reported that 225 counties in 20 states and the District of Columbia do not meet rules for polluting" particulate matter" measuring 2.5 micrometers in diameter.

This article reports that U.S. President George W. Bush's Cabinet choices for his second term are nearly set, with several holdovers and some new faces. But even some named to new jobs are administration insiders, tapped for transfers or promotions. Industry is especially pleased about the December 9 announcement that Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta will stay on. One reason industry is happy the former 10-term congressman will remain at transportation is because they want to see Congress clear a long-stalled multiyear transportation bill. of Energy, Deputy Treasury Secretary Samuel Bodman, has no evident background in the energy field. Industry also is watching whom Bush selects to lead the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), after Bush tapped EPA Administrator Michael Leavitt to be secretary of Health and Human Services.

This article reports that plans for a$ 2-billion phase of a long-rang effort to stem severe wetlands losses on Louisiana's coast have come into clearer focus with the release November 8 of a Corps of Engineers study. Congressional authorization for the plan is tied up in a still-pending water resources bill. The article also reports that the Environmental Protection Agency has proposed the third and last installment of new rules to protect aquatic life at cooling water intake structures. The November 1 third-phase plan addresses design, construction and capacity standards for intakes at certain existing manufacturing plants and new offshore and coastal oil and gas facilities.

Further clouding the application of a controversial provision of the Clean Air Act, the U.S. Supreme Court has declined to hear arguments over whether the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) could disregard U.S. Environmental Protection Agency requirements that it apply New Source Review rules when upgrading its aging power plants. The court's May 3 refusal is a victory for TVA, the government-owned utility that serves about 8 million people in seven states. However, the justices' action stems from an administrative proceeding that challenges federal agency authority and not the merits of applying NSR when modifications are made to power plants without use of the latest technology.

When the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency unveiled its latest tally of states with significant air pollution, there was mixed news for construction. The April 15 announcement that 474 counties in 31 states did not meet new standards for ground-level ozone could mean new work for firms that retrofit powerplants and other industrial facilities. But in some cases it could halt federal highway construction projects in counties that do not decrease ozone levels by a targeted date. One is the proposed Clean Air Interstate Rule that would reduce powerplant emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides that blow across state lines and significantly boost pollution levels in downwind cities.

The proposal of altering the plan for curbing powerplant emissions of mercury by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), issued last December, has two options. An emissions-trading program in 2018 to cut mercury by 70%, or requiring "maximum achievable control technology" to trim emissions by 14 tons by 2007. The plan faces growing opposition in the U.S. Congress, from state officials and even from part of the electric power industry. EPA Administrator Michael Leavitt defended the proposal at an April 1, 2004 Senate clean air subcommittee hearing. Leavitt maintains EPA is not seeking "a rollback" of mercury controls because, to date, there has been no such rule. Whatever plan EPA adopts will mean work for the construction industry, says Bob McIlvaine, president of the McIlvaine Co.

After months of lobbying by New York officials, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced on March 01, 2004, that it has set up a panel to monitor the human health effects of the World Trade Center collapse due to September 11, terrorist attacks in New York City. The panel includes EPA, New York City, academic and medical officials. It will verify that recontamination from HVAC systems hasn't occurred and also improve tracking by workers and residents of post-exposure risks.

The article focuses on developments in the U.S. construction industry. The Supreme Court gave the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) a victory on January 21, 2004, ruling that federal regulators may overrule state agencies in some instances. In a 5-4 decision in Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation vs. EPA, the justices said the Clean Air Act allows the agency to block construction of a new pollution-emitting facility that Alaska had approved. Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta opposes extending the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century for one or two years. He wants a multiyear bill near DOT's $247-billion "SAFETEA" bill.

This article focuses on various news related to construction industry as of December 22, 2003. The U.S. National Academy of Sciences review says the organization Corps of Engineers should use nonstructural waterway congestion fixes and adaptive management for natural resources as it works on a revised study of upper Mississippi River improvements. The U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear an appeal by Vice President Richard Cheney, who hopes to preserve confidentiality of certain records from meetings of his 2001 energy policy task force. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is proposing two ways for coal-fired power plants to curb mercury emissions.

Presents information related to various legislations and construction contracts in the United States, as of August 18, 2003. Impact of the U.S. Federal Communications Commission's National Do Not Call Registry program on the use of mass facsimiles by companies for business communications; Details on the second phase of new drinking water rules proposed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; Selection of the contractor Centex Lee LLC of Fairfax, Virginia, for the design-build contract of the memorial planned at the U.S. Department of Defense.

Utah Governor Mike Leavitt is U.S. President George W. Bush's choice to head the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Leavitt, the head of a regional insurance broker before becoming governor in 1993, says his environmental policy is based on the Latin term "in libra," which means to move toward balance. Alan Roberson, director of regulatory affairs for the American Water Works Association, says Leavitt's advocacy for states' rights is a good philosophy, but he notes that federal environmental statutes "aren't written that way." Leavitt will encounter turf battles if he tries to shift regulations to states, says Roberson. The Sierra Club criticized the nomination. It asserts that Leavitt has an "anti-environmental" record that includes "working behind closed doors with Interior Secretary Gale Norton to open up Utah's wildlands to polluting industries," such as roadbuilding and development.

Controversial new federal clean air rules that would make it easier for certain utilities and petroleum companies and other industries in the U.S. to upgrade plants without installing pricey pollution controls are going under the microscope again as of August 4, 2003. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that it will take another look at six elements of the New Source Review program that the agency issued on December 31, 2003, in what it said was their final form. The review is considered a win for environmentalists and the nine state attorneys general who filed a lawsuit to block these new rules. EPA will take comments for 30 days and has slated a public hearing in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. The U.S. Senate Democrats may try to amend a pending energy bill to block EPA from enforcing these new rules until a study is completed to evaluate whether the changes would weaken clean air programs.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency's July 17 announcement that it will start 11 new Superfund projects, but not 12 others, drew praise and criticism. Senate environment committee chairman James Inhofe says the action shows that President George W. Bush administration is dedicated to cleaning up the nation's Superfund sites. However, Senator Barbara Boxer says that not cleaning other sites is unacceptable.

Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Christine Todd Whitman's announcement that she would leave the administration of country's President George W. Bush on June 27, 2003 has kicked off speculation about her successor as the agency's chief. Just hours after Whitman delivered her resignation letter during an Oval Office visit, rumors about her possible replacement began flying. Bush has not announced his candidate, but sources speculate that David B. Struhs, secretary of Florida's Dept. of Environmental Protection may have the inside track. Another person mentioned for the post is Josephine Cooper, president and CEO of the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) unveiled its emission reduction plans for nonroad diesel engines, including engines used in construction equipment. The proposal announced on April 15, 2003 would reduce emissions of particulate matter and nitrogen oxides by more than 90 EPA expects emissions standard to start as early as 2008 and be fully phased in by 2014. Public hearings on the plan will be held in June 2003 in New York, Chicago and Los Angeles.

Focuses on the measures suggested by the Environmental Protection Agency for officials at drinking water systems to guard against terrorism and other security threats. Need to determine the implementation of precautionary measures.

Focuses on the stormwater runoff regulation for small construction sites proposed by U.S. municipal authorities. Delay in finalizing the regulation by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and various states; Estimated cost for implementing the rules; Exemption provided to oil and gas-related sites by EPA.

Reports on the notification issued by the state attorneys general to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to revise its policy on regulation of carbon dioxide emissions from the power plants. Requirements of Clean Air Act to regulate carbon dioxide emission; States whose attorney generals have issued the notification; Argument given by EPA spokesman, Joe Martyak on the regulation of carbon dioxide emission.

Reports on the plan of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to make it easier for wastewater treatment plants to comply with federal clean water act provisions. Announcement of a 'Water Quality Trading Policy'; Allowance to firms disposing large contaminants into watersheds to buy off-setting credits from other facilities that have lower pollution control cost.

Reports that Environmental Protection Agency would deliver a proposal recommending standards for diesel-fueled vehicles in the U.S. Hazards to health by diesel exhaust; Content of Sulphur in on-highway diesel fuel according to Allen Schaeffer, executive director of the Diesel Technology Forum; Deadlines set for other sources of air pollution.

Reports on announcement of rules by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in December 2002, that will require large agricultural feeding operations to obtain permits before disposing farm waste into waterways. Probable rise in the number of farms needing permits by 2006; Implication of the rule for large farms; Effect of the rules on design and consulting firms.

Reports on the rumors of resignation of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) administrator Christine Todd Whitman following her failure to come to an agreement with the U.S. government over the environmental policy. Announcement of the 'New Source Review' program that heightened speculation on Whitman's resignation; Whitman's absence from the agency's briefing on Clean Air regulations; Contenders for the position of EPA chief.

Presents news items related to activities and developments in the U.S. construction industry as of November 11, 2002. Status of the U.S. Transportation Department's proposed plans to speed up federal environmental reviews to get big construction projects built faster; Funds allocated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to clean nonfederal superfund sites.

Focuses on the launching of gap analysis related to the maintenance of nation's wastewater and drinking water infrastructure by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Estimation of maintenance costs for clean water; Risk in public health and water quality; Impact of revenue on gap analysis.

Focuses on the plans of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) concerning the operation of powerplants and industrial facilities in the U.S. Accounts on the changes in the New Source Review rules of EPA; Effects of powerplant modification on air pollution level; Definition of 'routine maintenance.'

Reports the court ruling on the federal Clean Air Act of the Environmental Protection Agency in the U.S. Enhancement of the pollution standards; Presentation of the state compliance form; Reduction of powerplant and automobile emissions.

Reports the deadline of wastewater discharges rules by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the U.S. Extension of the deadline; Context of the federal court agreement concerning EPA deadline; Statement of EPA manager Eric Strassler on the development of the rules.

Focuses on laws and legislation concerning industries and the construction industry in the United States. Determination of the Department of Justice to proceed on the Clean Air Act lawsuits filed by the Environmental Protection Agency; Rules on steel erection; Supreme Court ruling of the scope of the 1990 Disabilities Act.

Reports developments related to the construction industry in the United States. Appointment of Beverly Cook as assistant secretary for Environment, Safety and Health; Plan for the creation of a national construction safety board; Standards for calling towers developed by the Environmental Protection Agency.

Features a news update about government policy on the construction sector in the United States as of November 13, 2000. Unfinished legislative business for the industry; Delay in the issuance of effluent guidelines by the US Environmental Protection Agency; Pending contractor responsibility rules.

Reports that the United States Environmental Protection Agency could soon reapply Davis-Bacon Act prevailing wage requirements to construction of wastewater treatment facilities funded under the federal Clean Air Act. Proposed agreement between EPA and the AFL-CIO's Building and Construction Trades Department to settle an administrative proceeding brought by construction unions in 1997; Terms under the plan.

Reports on a federal court ruling allowing the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to proceed with rules to curb air pollution in 19 eastern states. Mixed implications for the engineering construction industry; Work for contractors and engineers who retrofit or build power plants; Possible adverse effect on highway transportation improvement projects.

Reports that the United States (US) Supreme Court will consider if the US Environmental Protection Agency should conduct a cost analysis besides overstepping its regulatory authority in adopting stricter clean air standards. Reason behind the court's decision; Laws that require the US EPA to perform cost-benefit analysis; Implications of the court's ruling on transportation construction.

Focuses on the settlement of the environmental lawsuit filed against Tampa Electric Co. on February 29, 2000. Amount to be spent by Tampa Electric in meeting the terms of a federal Clean Air Act settlement; Penalty paid by Tampa Electric to the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Justice; Aims of the lawsuits.

Reports on the plans of the United States (US) Environmental Protection Agency to delay the proposal for an updated contaminant level for arsenic in drinking water. Level of arsenic allowed under the current standard; Lobbying made by water utilities in connection with the issue; Impact of lowering the arsenic level on Superfund site cleanups.

Presents updates in the construction industry in the United States as of November 1998. Source of fund for the Appalachian Development Highway Systems; Release of safety training standards for workers operating fork lifts and other powered industrial trucks; Lawsuit against the administrator of the United States Environmental Protection Agency.

Cites a report issued by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in which it asserted that the National Rural Water Association (NRWA)spent an estimated $2.3 million in federal grants, to accommodate its lobbying efforts. Details on the EPA report; Comments by Lino DeAlmeida, president of the National Utility Contractors Association; Response of Robert Johnson, chief executive of the NRWA, to the claims against the organization.

Reports on the appeal filed by US Environmental Protection Agency and the Corps of Engineers on a court ruling that found that they have exceeded their authority in enforcing rules on excavation practices used to drain wetlands. Review of the existing policies to make sure that wetlands protection decisions are fair to all concerned; Effort to work with Justice Department to determine a course of action.

Focuses on news relating to the construction industry in the United States from Washington, D.C. Emission regulations from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for incinerators and kilns; Pushing of performance based service contracts by the White House's Office of Management and Budget; Details of a Superfund legislation proposal submitted by United States Senators Robert Smith and John H. Chafee on March 21, 1996.