Government Washington Observer; federal agency and congressional policy-setting, regulation and enforcement; budgets and taxation; project finance; state and local agency regulation and enforcement.//www.phoneitt.com/rss/134-government en-us NTSB To Put Collapsed Pittsburgh Bridge 'Under a Microscope,' Chair Says ichniowskit@新利18备用enr.com(汤姆Ichniowski)

Preliminary report, just on factual items, expected by mid-February.

//www.phoneitt.com/articles/53527 Sat, 29 Jan 2022 18:39:00 -0500//www.phoneitt.com/articles/53527-ntsb-to-put-collapsed-pittsburgh-bridge-under-a-microscope-chair-says
High Court to Reconsider Clean Water Protections in Key Wetlands Case mcfarlandp@新利18备用enr.com(Pam McFarland)

Scope of federal jurisdiction over building on or near certain bodies of water is at issue in case.

//www.phoneitt.com/articles/53526 Fri, 28 Jan 2022 19:00:00 -0500//www.phoneitt.com/articles/53526-high-court-to-reconsider-clean-water-protections-in-key-wetlands-case
Pittsburgh Bridge Collapse Injures 10 Hours Before Biden Visits City ichniowskit@新利18备用enr.com(汤姆Ichniowski)

Span had received poor superstructure ratings for more than a decade before Jan. 28 accident, according to National Bridge Inventory data.

//www.phoneitt.com/articles/53523 Fri, 28 Jan 2022 11:20:00 -0500//www.phoneitt.com/articles/53523-pittsburgh-bridge-collapse-injures-10-hours-before-biden-visits-city
Court Nixes Permit of Nearly Complete $6.2B Mountain Valley Pipeline Mastec-built Virginia to W.Va. natural gas project, set to operate in summer, faces unclear delay as feds must reassess its water crossings in a national forest. //www.phoneitt.com/articles/53512 Thu, 27 Jan 2022 18:18:00 -0500https://www.新利18备用enr.com/articles/53512-court-nixes-permit-of-nearly-complete-62b-mountain-valley-pipeline Jersey City, NJ Commits to $1B in Water Upgrades in New Federal Pact mcfarlandp@新利18备用enr.com(Pam McFarland) City will expand lead service line replacements and sewer improvements over the next decade in modifying its consent decree with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. //www.phoneitt.com/articles/53513 Thu, 27 Jan 2022 17:45:00 -0500//www.phoneitt.com/articles/53513-jersey-city-nj-commits-to-1b-in-water-upgrades-in-new-federal-pact Agriculture Dept. Awards $1B for Health Centers, Other Rural Facilities ichniowskit@新利18备用enr.com(汤姆Ichniowski)

Federal loans and grants would help build and upgrade hundreds of rural community facilities in nearly every state.

//www.phoneitt.com/articles/53514 Thu, 27 Jan 2022 17:23:00 -0500//www.phoneitt.com/articles/53514-agriculture-dept-awards-1b-for-health-centers-other-rural-facilities
Louisiana, Corps of Engineers Agree to $6B Coastal Protection Project < p >摩根za to the Gulf of Mexico plan calls for 98 miles of levees and other protections.

//www.phoneitt.com/articles/53508 Thu, 27 Jan 2022 14:30:00 -0500//www.phoneitt.com/articles/53508-louisiana-corps-of-engineers-agree-to-6b-coastal-protection-project
Facing Flood Cost Fallout, Canada Explores Insurance Changes

Massive flooding that paralyzed British Columbia in November caught the province unprepared in more ways than one, with under insurance emerging as a major issue.

//www.phoneitt.com/articles/53501 Thu, 27 Jan 2022 12:00:00 -0500//www.phoneitt.com/articles/53501-facing-flood-cost-fallout-canada-explores-insurance-changes BCMinistryof-Transport.jpg Road washout from mid-November rain deluge in British Columbia leaves rail line barely supported. PHOTO: B.C. Dept. of Transportation and Infrastucture
IIJA Rollout Picks Up More Steam ichniowskit@新利18备用enr.com(汤姆Ichniowski)

As the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act moves into its third month on the books, the Biden administration is stepping up project spending.

//www.phoneitt.com/articles/53496 Thu, 27 Jan 2022 09:53:00 -0500//www.phoneitt.com/articles/53496-iija-rollout-picks-up-more-steam bridge in need of repair Pennsylvania bridge across the Susquehanna River was built in 1930 and is in line for rehabilitation in 2023, the state says.Photo courtesy of Pennsylvania Dept. of Transportation
House Democrats' Bill Has $52B for US Chipmaking Facilities, R&D ichniowskit@新利18备用enr.com(汤姆Ichniowski)

After House approval, negotiators would aim to work out differences with Senate-passed version.

//www.phoneitt.com/articles/53495 Wed, 26 Jan 2022 16:58:00 -0500//www.phoneitt.com/articles/53495-house-democrats-bill-has-52b-for-us-chipmaking-facilities-rd
Curtain Wall Suppliers Claim Rival Duplicated Unique System

Chicago curtain wall manufacturers file lawsuit against a former executive and his new employer.

//www.phoneitt.com/articles/53490 Tue, 25 Jan 2022 22:00:00 -0500//www.phoneitt.com/articles/53490-curtain-wall-suppliers-file-federal-lawsuit-against-rival-contractors-for-using-similar-systems
DOT Releases $246M in IIJA Funds To States For Appalachian Highway ichniowskit@新利18备用enr.com(汤姆Ichniowski)

Funds, set for 11 states, are for first year of five-year, $1.25-billion program.

//www.phoneitt.com/articles/53488 Tue, 25 Jan 2022 16:39:00 -0500//www.phoneitt.com/articles/53488-dot-releases-246m-in-iija-funds-to-states-for-appalachian-highway
OSHA Pulls Vaccine Mandate, But Will Propose as a Rule yodersj@enr.com (Jeff Yoders)

Rulemaking process starts Jan. 26, with industry groups applauding rescind but seeking more input on construction-specific regulations.

//www.phoneitt.com/articles/53486 Tue, 25 Jan 2022 16:00:00 -0500//www.phoneitt.com/articles/53486-osha-pulls-vaccine-mandate-but-will-propose-as-a-rule
Illinois Bill Would Make Contractors Liable for Subcontractors' Unpaid Wages

The bill has some contractors concerned about added costs and complications.

//www.phoneitt.com/articles/53479 Mon, 24 Jan 2022 00:00:00 -0500//www.phoneitt.com/articles/53479-illinois-bill-contractors-liable-subcontractors-unpaid-wages
Court Moves Shift Focus to Federal Workers, Military in COVID-19 Vaccine Battle Judge enjoins federal worker mandate over its reach, immediately appealed by U.S. Justice Dept., citing Biden's “constitutional authority to act as CEO of the executive branch,” while dispute over military vaccinations heats up. //www.phoneitt.com/articles/53474 Sat, 22 Jan 2022 19:25:00 -0500//www.phoneitt.com/articles/53474-court-moves-shift-focus-to-federal-workers-military-in-covid-19-vaccine-battle NY Gov. Sets Industry Advisory Council to Fix Public Contracts Process

Contractor, labor and other members will be named in 60 days, with recommended changes due in one year in four specific areas of state public contracting.

//www.phoneitt.com/articles/53473 Fri, 21 Jan 2022 15:55:00 -0500//www.phoneitt.com/articles/53473-ny-gov-sets-industry-advisory-council-to-fix-public-contracts-process
DOJ Defends Federal Contractor Vaccine Order to Atlanta Appeals Court Attorneys tell court in Jan. 18 brief that mandate is legal under US procurement law to insure "economical and efficient" contracting, but Cincinnati appeals court panel rejected argument on Jan. 5, despite strong dissent from Chief Justice. That court also is weighing merits of OSHA vaccine rule for large contractors, not in effect now under new US Supreme Court order. //www.phoneitt.com/articles/53470 -0500年结婚,2022年1月19日20:30:00//www.phoneitt.com/articles/53470-doj-defends-federal-contractor-vaccine-order-to-atlanta-appeals-court Corps Spells Out Billions in Infrastructure Act Allocations ichniowskit@新利18备用enr.com(汤姆Ichniowski)

Everglades restoration program receives the largest allotment of roughly $1.1 billion.

//www.phoneitt.com/articles/53471 Wed, 19 Jan 2022 17:38:00 -0500//www.phoneitt.com/articles/53471-corps-spells-out-billions-in-infrastructure-act-allocations
Calif., Baltimore, Milwaukee Water Projects Win $688M in EPA Loans

US Environmental Protection Agency says it will provide $7.4 billion this year to State Revolving Funds for water infrastructure projects.

//www.phoneitt.com/articles/53461 Wed, 19 Jan 2022 16:00:00 -0500//www.phoneitt.com/articles/53461-calif-baltimore-milwaukee-water-projects-win-688m-in-epa-loans
EPA Coal Ash Cleanup Rule Changes Send Utilities, Agencies Back to Drawing Board Agency said it will deny three utility extensions for unlined pond compliance over groundwater pollution risks, as part of larger agency push to strengthen regulation of power plant residuals disposal and facilities with improper storage. //www.phoneitt.com/articles/53448 Tue, 18 Jan 2022 19:15:00 -0500//www.phoneitt.com/articles/53448-epa-coal-ash-cleanup-rule-changes-send-utilities-agencies-back-to-drawing-board Biden Administration Sets Framework to Fund $4.7B US Orphan Well Cleanup mcfarlandp@新利18备用enr.com(Pam McFarland)

Infrastructure law funds will go to states, tribes to close and remediate abandoned oil and gas sites under new interagency government program //www.phoneitt.com/articles/53459 Tue, 18 Jan 2022 17:00:00 -0500//www.phoneitt.com/articles/53459-biden-administration-sets-framework-to-fund-47b-us-orphan-well-cleanup Hope, and Trepidation, for DC Event Attendees on Infrastructure Fund Flow choa@enr.com (Aileen Cho) Transportation Research Board attendance was down as US COVID-19 cases rose, but participants spoke volumes about efforts underway and risks ahead to wisely spend billions coming to the sector. //www.phoneitt.com/articles/53444 Mon, 17 Jan 2022 21:45:00 -0500//www.phoneitt.com/articles/53444-hope-and-trepidation-for-dc-event-attendees-on-infrastructure-fund-flow MARTA: GM/CEO Jeffrey Parker Died Jan. 14 by Suicide judys@enr.com (Scott Judy) Executive was praised for his leadership and vision as the agency prepared to launch its largest-ever expansion. //www.phoneitt.com/articles/53441 Sun, 16 Jan 2022 16:08:00 -0500//www.phoneitt.com/articles/53441-marta-gmceo-jeffrey-parker-died-jan-14-by-suicide US DOT Releases 2022 Share of New IIJA $26.5B Bridge Program ichniowskit@新利18备用enr.com(汤姆Ichniowski)

California gets largest funding share, New York ranks second.

//www.phoneitt.com/articles/53438 Fri, 14 Jan 2022 12:01:00 -0500//www.phoneitt.com/articles/53438-us-dot-releases-2022-share-of-new-iija-265b-bridge-program
UK Building Owners Face Fire Safety Cladding Replacement Deadline reina@btinternet.com (Peter Reina)

Industry has until March to develop a plan and funding to replace on mid-height buildings the type of cladding linked to the 2017 Grenfell Tower fire in London that caused 72 deaths.

//www.phoneitt.com/articles/53430 Fri, 14 Jan 2022 07:00:00 -0500//www.phoneitt.com/articles/53430-uk-building-owners-face-fire-safety-cladding-replacement-deadline
SCOTUS Hears Feds' Suit Over State Workers' Comp Law for DOE Nuke Site High court will decide Biden challenge to Washington state's coverage expansion for Hanford contractor workers related to illnesses claimed from exposure to major toxics //www.phoneitt.com/articles/53431 Thu, 13 Jan 2022 19:40:00 -0500//www.phoneitt.com/articles/53431-scotus-hears-feds-suit-over-state-workers-comp-law-for-doe-nuke-site Supreme Court Denies OSHA Vaccine/Testing Mandate in 6-3 Ruling yodersj@enr.com (Jeff Yoders)

Justices placed stay on agency's emergency temporary standard in workplaces with 100 or more employees

//www.phoneitt.com/articles/53427 Thu, 13 Jan 2022 15:50:00 -0500//www.phoneitt.com/articles/53427-supreme-court-denies-osha-vaccinetesting-mandate-in-6-3-ruling
Hill Panels Gearing Up to Produce New WRDA Bill ichniowskit@新利18备用enr.com(汤姆Ichniowski)

Already, Corps 'Chief's Reports' Signed for 14 Projects.

//www.phoneitt.com/articles/53420 Thu, 13 Jan 2022 15:15:00 -0500//www.phoneitt.com/articles/53420-hill-panels-gearing-up-to-produce-new-wrda-bill
Stalled Maryland Light-Rail P3 Won't Open Until 2026, With Cost Up $1.4B

Purple Line's new JV contractor Dragados-OHL will start in spring as state approves its contract on Jan. 26. Construction tab now is $3.4B, with opening four years past original estimate, say officials.

//www.phoneitt.com/articles/53421 Thu, 13 Jan 2022 14:40:00 -0500//www.phoneitt.com/articles/53421-stalled-maryland-light-rail-p3-wont-open-until-2026-with-cost-up-14b
Administration Expands Push to Build Clean Energy Projects mcfarlandp@新利18备用enr.com(Pam McFarland)

Multi-faceted federal effort includes largest yet U.S. auction of offshore wind project lease tracts, in metro New York City area, and more renewables built on public lands.

//www.phoneitt.com/articles/53412 Wed, 12 Jan 2022 19:00:00 -0500//www.phoneitt.com/articles/53412-administration-expands-push-to-build-clean-energy-projects