Environment
Achieving Housing Resilience Through Retrofits
NAHB’s Construction Technology Research Subcommittee worked with Home Innovation Research Labs to develop a series of two-page guidelines illustrating techniques for retrofitting existing homes to improve their performance against natural hazards.
New WOTUS Rule Becomes Effective Today
The “Navigable Waters Protection Rule” (NWPR), which is the Trump Administration’s new definition of “waters of the United States” (WOTUS), becomes effective today in every state except Colorado.
Fresh Air Design Options for Post-COVID-19 Market
While the pandemic has upended many things, enjoying the outdoors doesn’t need to be one of them. Whether a leafy home in the suburbs or a large apartment building in the city, there are many ways to design outdoor areas to expand living spaces for health, relaxation and recreation.
New NGBS Offers Remodelers a Roadmap for High-Performance Projects
Remodelers who use green-building techniques will be better positioned to meet the growing demand for improving a home’s energy efficiency. The new ICC 700-2020 National Green Building Standard® (NGBS) provides a roadmap to guide the design and construction of high-performance projects
EPA Extends Comment Period on Transparency Proposal
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on March 18 issued a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (SNPR) to the proposed rule, “Strengthening Transparency in Regulatory Science.” When finalized, the EPA says the proposal is intended to ensure “that all important studies underlying significant regulatory actions at the EPA, regardless of their source, are available for a transparent review by qualified scientists.”
FEMA Releases Flood Insurance Advocate Annual Report
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) on April 21 released the 2019 Annual Report from the Office of the Flood Insurance Advocate. The report examines and makes recommendations on policyholder and property owner concerns or frustrations with the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
Banking Agency Issues Guidance on Flood Insurance
On April 15, 2020, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) issued a statement in response to FEMA extending the grace period for renewing flood insurance policies. The statement provides guidance to the financial institutions it regulates, and addresses conflicts between the FEMA rule and banking agency flood insurance rules.
Supreme Court Decision a Win for Builders in County of Maui v. Hawaii Wildlife Fund
In a victory for NAHB and home builders, the U.S. Supreme Court on April 3 rendered a 6-3 decision in County of Maui v. Hawaii Wildlife Fund. The case concerns whether pollutants that enter groundwater — and then reach navigable waters — are regulated under the Clean Water Act.
EPA Proposes to Retain NAAQS for Particulate Matter
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on April 14 announced its proposal to retain, without changes, the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for particulate matter (PM) including both fine particles (PM2.5) and coarse particles (PM10).
Timeline Begins for Implementation of Trump WOTUS Rule
The Federal Register today published the final “Navigable Waters Protection Rule” (NWPR), which is the Trump Administration’s new definition of “waters of the United States” (WOTUS). Publication of the rule starts a 60-day timeline, after which the NWPR will become effective across the country.
