Environment
EPA Declares Pre-2015 WOTUS Rule Now in Effect
Following the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona’s ruling on Monday to remand and vacate the Navigable Waters Protection Rule (NWPR), which defines the “waters of the U.S. (WOTUS),” the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers stated that “the agencies have halted implementation of the Navigable Waters Protection Rule and are interpreting ‘waters of the United States’ consistent with the pre-2015 regulatory regime until further notice.”
With WOTUS Under Attack, NAHB Members Voice Support for 2020 Rule
A federal court ruling this week on the “waters of the U.S. (WOTUS)” rule comes after the Biden administration announced its intent to change the regulatory definition of WOTUS in June. In response, NAHB members and HBA staff spoke out in support of the current WOTUS rule.
EPA to Hold August Hearings on Revamping of WOTUS Rule
The Environmental Protection Agency has announced it will hold a series of virtual public meetings in August to hear from interested stakeholders on “their perspectives on defining ‘waters of the United States’ (WOTUS) under the Clean Water Act” and how to implement that definition as federal agencies pursue this process.
EPA Seeks to Revise Definition of Waters of the U.S.
The Environmental Protection Agency and Department of the Army have announced their intent to revise the definition of “waters of the United States” (WOTUS). EPA Administrator Michael Regan says that the Navigable Waters Protection Rule enacted during the Trump administration to define WOTUS “is leading to significant environmental degradation.”
EPA Proposes 2022 Construction General Permit
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on May 12 published the proposed 2022 Construction General Permit (CGP) in the Federal Register. The current 2017 CGP permit is in effect until Feb. 16, 2022, when the final 2022 CGP will become effective for five years.
Biden Signs Sweeping Executive Order on Climate Change that Affects Housing
President Joe Biden yesterday signed a sweeping executive order on climate change, entitled “Executive Order on Climate-Related Financial Risk,” that the White House says “will help the American people better understand how climate change can impact their financial security.”
New Indiana Wetlands Law Allows Builders to Benefit from Federal Water Rule
Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb (R) signed a state wetlands bill into law last month, marking a big victory for the Indiana Builders Association (IBA) and members across the state.
FEMA’s Risk Rating 2.0 Framework Will Alter Flood Insurance Rates
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) today released new details outlining the implementation of Risk Rating 2.0, an initiative to transform the National Flood Insurance Program program to make it more consumer friendly and better reflect the actual risks properties face.
How Much Does Whole-Home Electrification Cost?
Electrification is a strategy for decarbonizing the economy by drawing down the use of fossil fuels in transportation, buildings, and electricity generation. But how much does it cost to fully electrify a home?
Court Ruling Means Navigable Waters Protection Rule Now in Effect in Colorado
On March 2, the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals overturned a preliminary injunction on the Navigable Waters Protection Rule (NWPR) issued by the Colorado District Court. The ruling means that all states are now regulated by the Navigable Waters Protection Rule (NWPR) — at least until the Biden administration develops a new rule or an amendment.
