EPA PUBLISHES DRAFT OF MODEL SPECS FOR "GREEN" CONSTRUCTION
AGC Preparing To Request More Time To Comment

The US Environmental Protection Agency is soliciting public review and comment on the agency’s “DRAFT Federal Guide for Green Construction Specs.”

The guide – currently available online at http://fedgreenspecs.wbdg.org – covers more than 60 building materials and methods.  It is organized according to the Construction Specifications Institute’s MasterFormat™ and is intended to provide federal construction project managers with model language that they can “cut and paste” into their “green” construction documents.  Comments must be received by September 27, 2004, according to the Federal Register notice (see 69 FR 45053, July 28, 2004).

While AGC supports environmentally sensitive construction and certainty in the contracting process, the Association is concerned that the specifications are ill-considered.  Indeed, they teem with liability and cost implications for contractors.  Several of the “performance requirements” assume a role for contractors that does not comport with standard industry practice.  All of this has the potential to significantly disrupt the flow of the construction process.

The federal government’s influence over future construction practices is significant, and AGC therefore plans to request a considerable extension of the 60-day comment period.  The model specifications are quite lengthy and the industry needs time to carefully review them and offer meaningful input.  With sufficient industry involvement, AGC believes it is possible to produce “green” specs that are reasonable, practical and still capable of achieving their intended result.  For more information contact:

Leah F. Wood

Senior Counsel, Environmental Law

Phone: (703) 837-5332 / Fax: (703) 837-5401

E-mail: woodl@agc.org

Website: www.constructionenvironment.org  

For the latest edition of AGC’s Environmental Observer Newsletter click on:

http://newsmanager.commpartners.com/agcenv/issues/2004-08-10/