Mary B. Powers

Coronavirus and Construction

Why AECOM Believes Zurich Should Pay Virus Insurance Claims

January 14, 2021

In a federal lawsuit, the AECOM joins other companies that have sought to recover COVID-19 economic losses under property insurance policies.

EPA Can't Evade Enviro Firm's $2.7M Cleanup Site Pay Claim, US Court Says

Mary B. Powers

January 10, 2021

No Comments

Federal appeals panel orders lower court to restore August Mack Environmental's compensation bid, rejected on a technicality.

Corps Issues Final Project Water-Crossing Rules

Mary B. Powers

January 6, 2021

No Comments

No start or end dates in revised Nationwide Permits, with Biden changes still looming for controversial mandates.

DOE Abruptly Cancels $13B Cleanup Award to BWXT-Fluor Team

Mary B. Powers

Debra K. Rubin

December 31, 2020

No Comments

Agency will reprocure an expanded Hanford nuclear site mega-contract but offers scant detail on new value, scope, timeline or bidders; separately, site women settle $450K bias complaint

Jobsite Fatalities

UPDATE: Laborer Jamie Fitzgerald, Killed in Dec. 9 Ohio Plant Collapse, is Recovered on Jan. 9

Mary B. Powers

Debra K. Rubin

December 21, 2020

No Comments

At power plant demolition site where Fitzgerald and another worker died, contractor Adamo Group also imploded a 900-ft stack it says posed a site hazard.

Border Barrier Work Runs Into New Walls

Mary B. Powers

Debra K. Rubin

December 17, 2020

No Comments

Projects and contracts get more local pushback and new scrutiny as $15-billion Trump construction program speeds to end of his presidency

Federal Procurement Ethics

Defense Dept. IG: White House Email Stonewall Stalls Border Wall Contract Probe

Mary B. Powers

Debra K. Rubin

December 7, 2020

One Comment

Months-long DOD review of 'executive privilege' stops audit of $400M Fisher Sand & Gravel construction award, watchdog tells Congress; Corps won't release executive branch emails

Environmental Protection

Trump Administration Reduces Cleanup Mandates for Three Major Industries

Mary B. Powers

December 2, 2020

No Comments

Last-ditch EPA and Justice directives ease liability for coal-fired power plants, oil and coal producers and chemical manufacturers, but opponents will seek reversal next year

Electrical Power

Bechtel Team to Build $3B-$6B Nuclear Test Reactor in Idaho

Mary B. Powers

Debra K. Rubin

November 24, 2020

3 Comments

MIT says nuke power plant design-builders can cut rising costs to propel use in U.S. energy transformation.

Tetra Tech Sues EPA, Navy in New S.F. Base Toxic Cleanup Skirmish

Mary B. Powers

November 22, 2020

No Comments

Firm claims agencies lack evidence to make it liable for estimated $100M cost to re-analyze risks in residential rebuild of controversial Superfund site; developer Lennar also sues to recoup costs