Environmental advocates are holding out hope that 150 world leaders and 40,000 delegates at climate talks—held in Paris on Nov. 30- Dec. 11—can reach a binding agreement to hold average global temperatures to an increase of less than 2° C, the level scientists say is necessary to prevent irreversible changes to the earth’s ecosystems.

States’ fiscal year 2015 expenditures on capital projects, including construction, rose 3%, to an estimated $98.2 billion, the National Association of State Budget Officers has reported.

Value of completed projects rose 1% from September and climbed 13% year over year, Commerce Dept. says.

As highway-transit bill negotiations proceed, DOT secretary wants final version to have as many years and as much annual funding as possible.

Dodge Data & Analytics says projected volume was up 13% from September and increased 10% year-over-year so far.

Extension through Dec. 4 would provide more time for negotiations on final multi-year bill.