Signed into law in November, the Build America, Buy America Act (BABAA) requires federal agencies to ensure that “none of the funds made available for a Federal financial assistance program for infrastructure, including each deficient program, may be obligated for a project unless all of the iron, steel, manufactured products, and construction materials used in the project are produced in the United States.”
At the beginning of this month, EPA released a compliance waiver granting an adjustment period for State Revolving Funds (SRFs) Projects that initiated design planning prior to May 14, 2022. This waiver permits the use of non-domestic manufactured products and construction materials in projects funded by a Clean Water or Drinking Water SRF that may have been otherwise prohibited by the act’s requirements.
EPA proposed this waiver as a tool to aid the efficient implementation of BABAA requirements — not as an alternative to increasing domestic production.
In other environmental updates, we highlight the following in our Compliance News:
Ask an Expert: Compliance and permitting within design-build projects
Without proper preparation and execution, compliance and permitting in design-build projects can quickly become a costly project roadblock but it doesn’t need to be. Find out how from two of our experts, Liz Wilson and Kevin Dyson. Read “Ask an Expert”
EPA PFOA and PFOS designation proposal
The EPA has proposed to designate PFOA and PFOS, including their salts and structural isomers, as hazardous substances under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), also known as Superfund.
Final smog attainment status determinations
The Clean Air Act mandates that areas must meet certain ground-level ozone levels. On Sept. 16, the EPA announced the final determinations for meeting the 2008 or 2015 National Ambient Air Quality Standards under the act. The announcement details final rules, establishes new timeframes, and next steps to improve ozone air quality.
The design-build delivery method allows agencies to manage one contract with a team that provides both design and construction services. This method can often lead to faster project delivery, enhanced risk management, and more efficient cost control deployed to construction. This streamlining benefit can get derailed, however, if compliance and permitting (C&P) aren’t considered early in the design process. Without proper preparation and execution, C&P can quickly become a costly project roadblock but it doesn’t need to be!