Government Affairs

Although the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has stood firm on its decision not to delay the April 22 implementation date of the Lead; Renovation, Repair, and Painting Program, legislation has now been introduced in the House and Senate that could delay the rule for at least one year until more contractors are trained. H.R.5177, introduced on April 29 by Rep. Denny Rehberg (R – MT), has four co-sponsors, and would "delay the implementation of certain final rules of the Environmental Protection Agency in States until accreditation classes are held in the States for a period of at least one year," reported DWM Magazine. Full Story

The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Home Star Energy Retrofit Act May 6. The Home Star program described in the bill will provide temporary rebates for energy-efficient doors and windows and other energy-saving items, reported USA Today. Full Story

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy jointly announced changes to the ENERGY STAR product certification process to ensure that only products meeting the ENERGY STAR requirements can receive an ENERGY STAR label. These changes accelerate steps DOE and EPA have initiated over the past several months to bolster the verification, testing and enforcement aspects of the ENERGY STAR program. Full Story

OSHA is launching a pilot program seeking to partner with building inspectors in 11 U.S. cities to reduce injuries and fatalities at construction sites. Under this program, building inspectors would notify OSHA when they observe, during the course of their work, unsafe work conditions. OSHA, in turn, would send a federal agency compliance officer to that workplace for a safety inspection. Full Story

Company executives, project managers and safety directors could face up to 20 years in prison for work site accidents if a federal bill becomes law. The Protecting America's Workers Act, introduced by U.S. Rep. Lynn Woolsey, D-CA, would let the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) enforce stiffer penalties for willful safety violations that result in serious injury or death, reported Finance & Commerce. Full Story

Highway and construction contractors claim New York's governor is holding more than $1 billion in highway and other infrastructure projects hostage in a lawsuit designed to free the funds and put people to work. The state has created an "anticipatory breach of contract," with contractors who have already started repair and road-building jobs but haven't been paid, the attorneys argued in court. The action joins a separate case filed by education groups suing over withholding state aid to schools, reported the Times Union. Full Story

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie signed a law that says once companies have put in applications to develop a property, they won't have to adjust them to future zoning changes towns enact. The legislation takes effect in one year. Currently, developers have to comply with rule changes that occur while their applications are pending, reported NorthJersey.com. Full Story

Stock Building Supply Holdings LLC has completed the sale of SBS Commercial Door & Hardware LLC, its commercial door and hardware division, to The Cook & Boardman Group LLC, reported WRAL.com. Full Story

ABC Supply Co. Inc. has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Bradco Supply Corp. Headquartered in Avenel, NJ, Bradco Supply Co operates 129 branches in 30 states with sales of approximately $1.5 billion in 2009. Full Story

Click here for more Industry Access news including recent new hires, merger & acquisition activity and who's offering new products.

* DHI Members may submit news releases to be considered for inclusion in DHI's IndustryWatch. Send to: jmadden@dhi.org

The legal profession is seeing "green" in the green building movement, suggested David Toney of Adams & Reese, speaking at the annual meeting of the Fenestration Manufacturers Association. Law firms are ramping up their research in this area in order to better challenge representations made by firms about their green, energy-efficient products, from LEED to labeling, reported Window & Door. According to Toney, about 100 law firms now have one or more LEED-certified attorneys. He suggested they are laying the groundwork for class action lawsuits claiming that fenestration and other building product companies have made false representations about the actual environmental benefits of their products/services. Firms need to review their marketing materials and other public representations to be certain they are not exposing themselves to any potential liability, he advised. Full Story

The US Green Building Council has launched a new Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) category that describes what sustainable, or green, development means on the scale of neighborhoods. The new standard, called LEED-ND, or LEED for Neighborhood Development, was created by the USGBC in conjunction with the National Resources Defense Council and the Congress for the New Urbanism. Until now, LEED-ND had been a pilot program with 238 projects in the U.S. and other countries participating. As of the 1st of March, 68 projects were certified by the pilot. Unlike other LEED designations, LEED-ND focuses on areas that include more than one building, with the goals of reducing global warming emissions, land consumption, traffic and pollution, but also of enhancing livability. Full Story

Construction firms added 14,000 new jobs in April, the second consecutive month of employment gains for the industry, according to an analysis of new federal figures released by the Associated General Contractors of America. After more than two years of dramatic job losses, the construction industry is once again adding jobs, thanks primarily to the increasing number of stimulus-funded projects now underway. Full Story

A green demonstration project in Las Vegas shows the nuts and bolts of a green retrofit. The team preserved the integrity of the existing structure while bringing it to net-zero energy, reported Green Builder. Full Story (PDF file)

President Obama and his administration have an arsenal of more than 30 existing programs worth $72 billion at their finger tips that can be used to increase energy efficiency in commercial buildings and multifamily housing, according to a legal analysis prepared by Van Ness Feldman for the U.S. Green Building Council and several other sponsoring organizations and companies, reported GreenerBuildings.com. Full Story

In New York City, the board of the New School approved plans to build a 16-story, $353 million University Center, the largest construction project in the university's 91-year history in Greenwich Village, reported the New York Times on the Web. Full Story

Among the four higher education structures analyzed by RSMeans, it is most expensive to build a college dormitory. Next most expensive on a dollars-per-square-foot basis is a college laboratory building, reported Reed Construction Data. Full Story

Following four months of decline, the value of building permits in Canada increased 12.2% in March to C$6.3 billion, according to Statistics Canada. This was 38.9% higher than the level in March 2009. The increase came mainly from multi-family and industrial building permits. In the non-residential sector, municipalities issued C$2.1 billion worth of permits, up 9.1% from February. This increase occurred mainly as a result of higher construction intentions in the industrial and institution. Full Story

A plan to build a $7 billion complex in Hunters Point, CA, would stretch southwest to Candlestick Park and include 10,500 homes, 2.7 million square feet of commercial space and a million more of retail space, a performing arts theater and an artists' colony, reported the New York Times on the Web. Full Story

Officials say more than $1 billion in projects, including new housing, administrative buildings and infrastructure, are under way and employing about 10,000 people in construction at Camp Pendleton in California, reported the San Diego Business Journal. Full Story

Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick will spend up to $200 million in state funds this year to get 50 building projects around the state off the ground, hoping the money will lead to thousands of jobs for the construction sector and significant additional economic activity, reported The Boston Globe. Full Story

The National Association of State Fire Marshals (NASFM) has launched a website, Bridging the Gap, www.GreenBuildingFiresafety.org, that will bring together the complex issues relating to building in an environmentally sensitive manner while still meeting the overriding needs of fire safety for the occupants and emergency responders. Funded by a Department of Homeland Security Fire Prevention and Safety Grant, this project will look at where fire safety concerns coincide with the rapidly growing field of green buildings. Full Story (PDF file)

The SDM 100, a ranking by recurring monthly revenue (RMR) of the largest security dealer companies in the U.S, continues to prove that security services are a necessity in America's homes and businesses, and that clients are finding ways to fund both system sales and services. That proof is found in a solid 6% growth in RMR and 2% growth in total annual revenue in 2009 compared with 2008. While sales revenue totals were slightly off compared with the prior year, sales efforts were sufficient to cover losses from attrition and even build up RMR. Full Story To view the SDM 100 list click here.

Bureau for Consumer Financial Protection

The Senate will continue to debate the merits of financial institutions' regulatory reform. There are tons of amendments and the proponents are either rejecting them back on votes or making deals with the amendment's proponents.

So far, the first major effort to limit the powers of the Bureau for Consumer Financial Protection (BCFP) was beaten back.  As I reported last week, some of the consumer financing provided by some retailers and consumer service providers will fall under the jurisdiction of the BCFP.  The operative words are "some" and "some."  There are strong opinions on both sides as to the scope.

My feeling is the basic BCFP structure will survive. I do think there is some chance that proponents will allow some tinkering around that the edges that might pull some more small businesses out from under the BCFP’s microscope.

There are also a number of tax discussions going on behind the scenes – good and bad. The good news is the discussion is about extending various expired and expiring tax deductions and credits ranging from the R&D credit to the energy efficiency items and adding some new small business tax relief. The bad news is that we do not know what the final revenue offsets will be.

DHI's Jerry Heppes sits on the board of the Small Business Legislative Council. If you'd like more information on these or other issues affecting small businesses, feel free to contact him at jheppes@dhi.org.

This material is protected under copyright law and contains confidential information.  It is for the sole personal, informational use of DHI members. It cannot be distributed, reprinted, referenced as a source for attribution, or otherwise made public.

How Does 7 Cents Per Day Help?
With everyone giving a little, we can accomplish a lot

In these challenging economic times for the door and hardware industry, please consider contributing 48 cents a week to help the Foundation continue its work. A contribution of $25 a year averages out to about 48 cents a week and less than 7 cents per day.

The majority of what the Foundation does is funded by the generous support of DHI member companies and individuals like you – apart from the yearly fees and dues that are paid to DHI. The Foundation operates under its own budget without any type of membership dues since we are considered a charitable organization.

If every DHI member pledges $25 above and beyond their normal DHI dues, the Foundation will be able to continue the vital work it has started.

You can visit the Foundation’s website to:
Donate online by clicking here.
Donate using email (or snail mail) by clicking here.
or call Bill Johnson directly at 703.766.7039 to have him answer any questions or to make a verbal pledge commitment. Thank you for your consideration of support and for your commitment to the Foundation.

With everyone giving a little, we WILL accomplish a lot.

Spring 2010 Edition of Plan Room Newsletter NOW Available!

This issue has something for everyone! Read updates about what activities and events are going on within YOUR association:

• Board of Governors met at DHI headquarters in April to address issues and policies from Distributors Best Practices to Fire Door Assembly Inspection strategies moving into this year and beyond...

• Look for your NEXT Industry-wide opportunity for networking and being in-the-know about key Industry and economic issues impacting you and your company at DHI's 35th Annual Conference & Exposition THIS September in Chicago, IL. Complete details and registration information in this issue!

• Recognize the hard work, time and passion of dedicated industry volunteers. Annual 2010 Achievement Awards Call for Nominations!

• Need Education? Attend the DHI Canada School in May 2010! 

• Find out which states have adopted requirements for annual fire door inspections.

• Learn more about the Launch of the NEW, Free "DHI Webinar Series--Keeping YOU Connected" The debut session featured the FDAI program. Find out what you missed and make sure you're on top of upcoming seminars in 2010.

• What is YOUR chapter doing this month or next? Particip-ACTION! Is YOUR chapter leading the race?

Click here to access the issue.

Become a Certified Fire Door Inspector...Fire and Egress Door Assembly Inspection (DAI 600)

"DAI 600 West" The ONLY DAI 600 Session Offered on the West Coast in 2010!

Learn more about the FDAI program and WHY certification as a fire door inspector is a smart business and career decision by clicking here.

Class held June 26-29, 2010 • Chaparral Suites • Scottsdale, AZ
Register online or call DHI member Services at 703/222-2010

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