Construction

Addresses Backlog of Deferred Maintenance Projects

November 12, 2009, Anchorage, Alaska – Alaska Governor Parnell today committed to creating construction jobs across the state by addressing the backlog of deferred maintenance projects for state-owned facilities.

“I will do what it takes to maximize construction opportunities in Alaska to put Alaskans to work,” Governor Parnell said. “Deferred maintenance funding is necessary to preserve the state’s significant investment in infrastructure and will mean Alaska’s construction industry will have jobs it can depend on, each and every year.”    » read more »

October 9, 2009 -- Washington, DC – Senator Jim Webb (D-VA) today called on the Consumer Product Safety Commission and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to complete ongoing tests and evaluations concerning Chinese-imported drywall “without further delay.” The Senator wrote, “Every day that the results of these tests are delayed means more families pushed into bankruptcy and financial ruin.”    » read more »

Funds will create or retain nearly 1,000 affordable housing units, support construction jobs

August 28, 2009 -- DES MOINES – Iowa Governor Chet Culver today announced nearly $75 million in funding to 16 affordable housing projects that aid in the preservation or construction of nearly 1,000 housing units throughout the state. The awards were made through a combination of the Culver/Judge I-JOBS initiative, the federal American Recovery & Reinvestment Act (ARRA) and the Iowa Housing Tax Credit Program.    » read more »

July 7, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the Senate Appropriations Committee, of which he is a member, has approved $82,257,000 in federal funding for military construction projects in Illinois.

The Fiscal Year 2010 Appropriations Bill for Military Construction and Veterans Affairs includes funding for the following Illinois projects:    » read more »

6/19/2009 -- Raleigh -- North Carolina Governor Bev Perdue today signed Senate Bill 754, enabling North Carolina schools to use interest-free bonds for school construction, repair and renovation as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

“Our children need a welcoming and encouraging learning environment, one that makes them excited to come to school every day,” Perdue said. “These bonds create a win-win situation – new jobs and better classrooms.”

The bill enables local education agencies to administer $275,772,000 in bonding authority for new, qualified school construction bonds (QSCB) and gives $56,699,000 in bonding authority to continue qualified zone academy bonds (QZAB).    » read more »

Governor Corzine and Officials Break Ground for $150 Million Gateway Transit Village; Shovel-ready project brings thousands of jobs and private investment to area

June 10, 2009 -- NEW BRUNSWICK - Noting the significance of public-private partnerships to New Jersey's continued economic revitalization, New Jersey Governor Jon S. Corzine today joined state and local officials to break ground for New Brunswick's $150 million Gateway Transit Village project. The mixed-use development will create an estimated 3,000 construction jobs before its completion in 2012.    » read more »

June 5, 2009 -- OLYMPIA -- Washington Governor Chris Gregoire and Washington Department of Transportation Secretary Paula Hammond announced today that Washington state will deliver more highway projects with federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds than first envisioned, thanks to the recent trend toward lower construction bids.

“At a time when every penny counts, these lower construction cost estimates will provide more opportunities for infrastructure improvements,” Gregoire said. “We are seeing the benefits of managing these recovery funds efficiently and effectively as required by the Obama administration.”    » read more »

Bridge Replacement to Improve Safety in Onondaga County

June 1 , 2009 -- New York Governor David A. Paterson today announced the start of construction on a $7.7 million project to replace the bridge carrying Bartell Road over Interstate 81 in Onondaga County, the first American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) construction contract to begin in the Syracuse area. Crews will replace the existing bridge with a new structure and improve pedestrian and cyclist paths throughout the project area in Cicero.

Governor Paterson recently certified this and 11 other projects for a total of $53.9 million in federal economic recovery funds for Syracuse area highways and bridges.    » read more »

June 01, 2009 -- EAST RUTHERFORD - Describing it as another component of New Jersey’s commitment to sustainable environmental practices, New Jersey Governor Jon S. Corzine today applauded the partnership agreement between the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), New York Giants and New York Jets to use green building practices at the New Meadowlands Stadium.

“I support the Giants and Jets partnership and their commitment to helping clean our environment,” Governor Corzine said. “The New Stadium Project will act as a model for stadiums across the country and I am confident that this construction will help set a precedent for green building in other states while demonstrating New Jersey’s role as a leader in environmentally friendly construction.”    » read more »

The 2008 Corporate Sustainability Report provides an in-depth view of PPG’s status and progress on economic, environmental and safety, and social involvement initiatives.

PITTSBURGH, May 26, 2009 – PPG Industries’ (NYSE:PPG) first corporate sustainability report highlights key accomplishments in several areas of interest to environmentally progressive architects and builders.    » read more »

PITTSBURGH, May 18, 2009 – Architects say durability is the most important attribute for a “green” building product, according to a new industry survey commissioned by PPG Industries (NYSE:PPG). It was followed by ENERGY STAR compliance, life-cycle assessment, no- or low-volatile organic compound (VOC) content and the ability to source products regionally.

Durability also is the most important attribute among building products in general, ranking slightly ahead of price. Product warranties, features and technical support also were named by approximately two in five architects.    » read more »

Landrieu participates in Commerce Committee hearing on imported drywall; releases updated "Help Guide."

05/21/2009 -- WASHINGTON -- At the request of United States Senators Mary Landrieu, D-La., and Bill Nelson, D-Fla., the Senate Commerce Committee today held a public hearing to learn more about problems caused by tainted Chinese drywall and federal agencies' proposed response to protect consumers. Because thousands of Louisiana homes may contain the defective product, the Commerce Committee allowed Sen. Landrieu to attend and discuss the impact on Louisiana homeowners.    » read more »

May 19, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. - Federal environmental officials have found that Chinese-made drywall - suspected of causing serious corrosion in homes throughout Florida, Louisiana and other states - contains three materials not found in samples of U.S.-manufactured wallboard, according to U.S. Senator Bill Nelson’s office.

Tests on drywall samples were done at the request of Sens. Nelson and Mary Landrieu, who have initiated an investigation into complaints from homeowners in their respective states, Florida and Louisiana, that drywall in newer or rebuilt homes smells like rotten eggs and is causing corrosion of copper wiring and household appliances. In addition, homeowners are complaining of health problems such as asthma, coughing, headaches and insomnia.    » read more »

California Partners with U.S. Small Business Administration on First-In-The-Nation Initiative

05/21/2009 -- In an effort to increase contracting opportunities for California’s small businesses, the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has partnered with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to help California small businesses bid on construction projects.

The first such partnership in the nation and one of the top ten recommendations from participants at Governor’s Conference on Small Business & Entrepreneurship, the joint Bonding Assistance Initiative helps qualified small businesses access bond guarantees - which are required on Caltrans construction contracts and are currently difficult for small businesses to attain.    » read more »

Favors Local Control on Building Codes

May 21, 2009, Juneau, Alaska - Alaska Governor Sarah Palin announced today that, as previously stated, she will veto the $28.6 million in federal stimulus funds tied to adoption of building codes by municipalities.

"Alaskans and our communities have a long history of independence and opposing many mandates from Washington, D.C.,” Governor Palin said. “This principle of maximum self-government for local communities is also set out in our constitution. There isn’t a lot of support for the federal government to coerce Alaska communities to adopt building codes, but lawmakers can always exercise checks and balances by overriding my veto.    » read more »