Photo by AP Wideworld Obama continues to call for more infrastructure funding, but deficit worries are likely to squeeze public works and other programs. Related Links: Democratic Party 2012 National Platform When it comes to critical issues, such as infrastructure spending and regulatory policy, construction-industry officials have a clear idea of what to expect if President Obama wins re-election. In short, they expect a second Obama administration would pursue the legislative and regulatory priorities it has followed since 2009.This déjà vu picture has a second aspect: With Republicans predicted to keep control of the House and at least narrow Democrats'

Related Links: White House, Congressional Leaders Strike Deal on Budget Key House Vote Looms in September for U.S.-Russia Trade Bill As the House and Senate return from their August recess, little action is expected before lawmakers leave again in early October to campaign for the Nov. 6 elections. The only must-pass pre-election bill affecting construction programs is a temporary spending measure to keep federal agencies operating through March 2013.Construction-equipment companies and other business groups are hopeful Congress also will pass a trade bill aimed at boosting U.S. exports to Russia.Jay Hansen, National Asphalt Pavement Association executive vice president, says, "I

Photo courtesy of AP Worldwide Some in the construction industry are waiting for more information on Romney's plans. Related Links: GOP Platform Romney Energy Plan Would Ramp Up Domestic Production News Analysis: A Mitt Romney administration would knock down regulatory hurdles that get in the way of contractors and depart from President Obama's policies on labor and taxes. But how much a Romney administration would cut transportation and water infrastructure spending remains something of an open question, several sources say."I don't think anybody knows. The truth of the matter is, there is not a specific plank in either candidate's platform"

Related Links: U.S.-Russia Trade Bill on Fast Track to Passage (ENR 7/30/12) Text of House Ways and Means Committee-approved bill Construction-equipment manufacturers and other business groups are gearing up to push for House approval in September of a trade bill that observers say would expand U.S. exports to Russia.The legislation would grant Russia permanent normal trade relations (PNTR) with the U.S. That PNTR status would mean U.S. construction-equipment manufacturers would be eligible for tariff cuts and mechanisms for resolving trade disputes that Russia is putting in place as a new member of the World Trade Organization (WTO).Supporters of the pending

Related Links: ARTBA comments filed on fuel standard, trust fund impact DOT fuel-economy Web page, including final rule, fact sheet The Obama administration has approved new, tougher fuel-economy standards for cars and light trucks that Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said will save motorists more than $1.7 trillion in fuel costs and trim U.S. fuel consumption by 12 billion barrels by 2025.But construction industry officials worry that the projected fuel saving from the new Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards also will translate to a deep cut in projected gasoline and diesel tax revenue flowing to the Highway Trust Fund. The

Related Links: Link to text of Romney's energy white paper Presumptive Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney’s energy plan, released on Aug. 23, seeks a dramatic increase in domestic oil, gas and coal production, which he said would create jobs in construction, manufacturing and other sectors.In his plan, Romney calls for North American energy independence by 2020, with a prime focus on increased exploration for fossil fuels in the U.S. He also pledges to approve the controversial Keystone XL crude oil pipeline project, and expand offshore oil and gas drilling, particularly off the coasts of Florida and Virginia.In perhaps the most

Related Links: DOT's State-by-State Lists of Unobligated Earmarked Funding, Old Projects DOT Press Release Announcing Funding-Transfer Plan The Dept. of Transportation says states will be able to transfer $473.4 million designated years ago for specific projects, but never spent, to other transportation work. Under the plan, which DOT announced on Aug. 17, states have until Oct. 1 to identify projects to which they want their shares of the funds to go. The aid must be obligated by Dec. 31.But Rep. Jerry Lewis (R-Calif.), a senior Appropriations Committee member, blasted the plan, saying DOT announced it without consulting any members of

Related Links: NRC Foes Hail NRC Move to Freeze Construction Licenses NRC Aug. 7 Order in Response to Court Decision The Nuclear Regulatory Commission's new chair, Allison Macfarlane, says one of her priorities is to develop a response to a recent federal court decision that vacated nuclear-waste regulations the NRC had issued in 2010.  MACFARLANEThe June 8 ruling from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit led the commission to put on hold final approval of construction and operating licenses (COLs) for all new reactors as well as license renewals. NRC staffers have developed a preliminary response to

Related Links: DOT's Federal Register Notice of Funding Availability for TIFIA DOT's TIFIA Home Page The newly enacted transportation bill gives a giant boost to a U.S. Dept. of Transportation loan program for major highway and transit projects. The line is already starting to form for the loans, which could total more than $16 billion over the next two years.DOT's "bank" was created in 1998 by the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) to provide loans and other credit assistance to help fund large projects. After relatively modest demand in TIFIA's first decade, interest took off in 2010. For

Related Links: U.S. Court of Appeals for D.C. Circuit Aug. 21 ruling In a long-awaited decision, a divided three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit has struck down an Environmental Protection Agency rule that aimed to cut powerplants' emissions or air pollutants that move across state lines. The cross-state air pollution regulation (CSAPR)  would have required 28 states in the East, Midwest and South to reduce emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide that cross state lines and cause air-quality problems in downwind states. EPA finalized the rule in July 2011, but the court blocked