Pam McFarland

2022 Midterm Elections

Senate, House Majorities Unclear, But Signals Seen for New Congress

Tom Ichniowski

Pam McFarland

November 9, 2022

No Comments

Industry observers expect slim majority and divided government but key legislation should stay intact.

Climate Change Mitigation

Will World Leaders in Egypt 'Deliver on Climate Promises Made'?

COP27 focus shifts from negotiations to 'hard work' of enacting policies to address climate problems, says one observer

Pam McFarland

November 8, 2022

No Comments

Focus of COP 27 event in Sharm El-Sheikh has shifted from negotiations to 'hard work' of implementing policies.

Aerial view of a neighborhood with palm trees, white roofs, cars and areas in which the road is covered by floodwater

Disaster Relief

Puerto Rico Gains EPA Post-Hurricane Disaster Recovery Funds

Effort is part of agency program to target investment for traditionally underserved communities

Pam McFarland

November 4, 2022

No Comments

US Environmental Protection Agency details plans to address environmental infrastructure problems in underserved communities following Hurricanes Fiona and Maria.

Drinking Water

Underwater Levee Halts Salt Wedge Intrusion on Lower Mississippi River

Pam McFarland

October 31, 2022

No Comments

A barrier sill, built under emergency conditions, has stopped a wedge of salt traveling up the river perilously close to drinking water intakes.

Campaign Spending

Political Donations Ramp Up in Tight Midterm Election Season

Pam McFarland

October 25, 2022

No Comments

Companies, unions help push construction-related contributions to more than $105M so far.

Water

EPA Set to Propose Drinking Water Standard for PFAS Chemicals

WEFTEC conference included focus on water equity, resilient infrastructure

Pam McFarland

October 20, 2022

No Comments

Panels at WEFTEC industry conference focused on new approaches to reduce or destroy "forever" chemicals that are a more prevalent health threat.

Seal_of_the_United_States_Department_of_Labor.svg.png

Workforce

DOL Proposes Tougher Test for Independent Contractor Status

Construction groups contend proposal would make it harder to classify legitimate contractors

Pam McFarland

October 18, 2022

No Comments

Newly proposed rule would replace a Trump administration regulation.

Environment

Chesapeake Bay Water Quality Is Still in Trouble, Two Major Reviews Say

Wastewater plant upgrades are key to restoration efforts, but urban runoff is a growing problem

Pam McFarland

October 6, 2022

No Comments

Some states within the Bay's watershed are not on track to meet target goals to cut nitrogen and phosphorus discharge by 2025, two major reviews say.

Legal

US Supreme Court Revisits Wetlands Protection in Session-Opening Case

Pam McFarland

Mary B. Powers

October 3, 2022

No Comments

Oral arguments in Sackett v. EPA had justices squaring off on methods and tests used under the Clean Water Act to determine if building sites are federally protected—with other novel industry linked issues in additional cases this term

Infrastructure Social Inequity Is Focus of Climate Week

Pam McFarland

Mary B. Powers

September 29, 2022

No Comments

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres called out the world’s largest emitters to do their part to reduce carbon emissions in kicking off the 77th session of the U.N. General Assembly in New York City.