Today's Headlines

Highway Occupancy Permits seminar
PennDOT District 6-0 is hosting a free Highway Occupancy Permits procedures and design seminar. The seminar will be held August 16 in room 215 of Montgomery County Community College’s Science Center. A session for developers and engineers will be held from 8 a.m. to noon. A session for municipal officials and their engineers will be held from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Your organization may attend either or both of the sessions. Because seating is limited to two people from each organization, registration will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. If you would like to attend the event, please contact Keith Ashley.

BUILD-PAC Texas Hold 'm Poker Tournament
There will be a BUILD-PAC Poker Tournament held Thursday, July 21 at the Nittany Lion Inn in conjunction with the PBA Board of Directors meeting. Food and beverages will be available beginning at 6 p.m. more

Court Upholds Streamlined Storm Water Permit
In a recent decision, the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rejected a legal threat to the Construction General Permit, which regulates storm water discharges during the home building process. The permit is viewed by builders as the most efficient available option for complying with strict federal storm water requirements. more

Chesapeake Bay Tributary Strategy
The Chesapeake Bay Program is a collaboration of six states (Pa, Md, Va., W. VA., Del., N.Y.) and the District of Columbia. The primary purpose of this program is to limit the pollution of the Chesapeake Bay. To date, this has been a voluntary effort. However, a lawsuit was filed several years ago under the Federal Clean Water Act to force “bay states” to clean up water emptying to the Chesapeake Bay. A court ruling gave bay states until 2010 to prove that water quality was in an acceptable range. The Chesapeake Bay Tributary Strategy is an effort by each bay state to allocate pollution loads in specific streams throughout each state. more

Onlot Sewage System Update
The PBA has received information indicating that the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) may soon be interpreting portions of the existing onlot sewage regulations in a more restrictive manner. Specifically, the DEP may be significantly reducing the use of alternate and experimental onlot sewage systems for new development. more

"Requirement to Repair" legislation currently is moving through the state House and Senate
This legislation will reduce the number of lawsuits about construction defects by providing a dispute resolution process for consumers and builders. Twenty-five other states already Requirement to Repair laws. more

State Strikes Down Fire Sprinkler Ordinance Proposed By Conewago Township
The Pennsylvania Builders Association (PBA) today praised a decision by the state Department of Labor and Industry to disapprove a fire sprinkler ordinance that had been proposed by Conewago Township, York County. more

Secretary of Labor and Industry Issues Ruling in Conewago Township UCC Challenge
The Secretary of Labor and Industry issued his ruling disapproving the Conewago Township (York County) ordinance to exceed the Uniform Construction Code (UCC). The ordinance exceeded the requirements of the UCC by requiring automated sprinkler systems to be installed in buildings where sprinkler systems are not required under the International Building Code and the International Residential Code. The ordinance also was unclear about whether it required detached one- and two-family dwellings in excess of 5,000 square-feet to have sprinkler systems. The Township will have 30 days to appeal to the York County Court of Common Pleas. To view the Adjudication and Order, click here.

PBA Offers Helpful Brochure For Consumers Seeking a Reputable Home Builder or Remodeler
Spring is the time of year when many people start work on building or remodeling their home. The Pennsylvania Builders Association (PBA) offers a free brochure with advice to help consumers find builders who can get the work done properly and at a competitive price. more

Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) Update
The 1971 amendments to the federal Clean Water Act established what is known as the Total Maximum Daily Load Program. This program's primary goal is to reduce the discharge of a variety of pollutants into surface water bodies (streams and lakes). more

Creation of Task Forces
The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is currently undertaking a revision of the Pennsylvania Code (Title 25) Environmental Protection. In anticipation of reviewing and commenting about various portions of Title 25, several PBA task forces are being established. more

Join National Call-to-Action Supporting FHL Banks
Currently Congress is debating the appropriate regulatory regime for America's housing Government Sponsored Enterprises (GSEs) including the Federal Home Loan Bank System. The FHL Banks are a critical source of funding for home mortgages and construction loans.

The NAHB and the PBA have taken strong stands on this congressional action requesting that any legislation not harm the finance system that has helped create record homeownership and low interest rates.

Please contact your Congressional representatives and let them know that protecting the FHL Banks is important to you. To find your congressmen, click here.
You can download a prepared letter for you to print, sign and mail by clicking here.

PA Prosperity Coalition Issues Statement Disputing Comments Made About New "PA Prosperity Report"
Brookings' report advocates restricted housing choices to force people back to cities, PA Prosperity Coalition report supports housing of choice and market-based decisions. For more information, click here.

Enhanced Land Recycling Program
The PA Department of Environmental Protection clarified procedures under the state's nationally renowned Land Recycling program, underscoring that the program is focused on efforts to clean up and reuse commercial and industrial sites and is not intended to expedite the development of farmland. For more information, click here.

The Commonwealth Foundation released the following press release in response to the Brookings' report, Back to Prosperity: A Competitive Agenda for Renewing Pennsylvania: Taking us back —but not to prosperity. To view the press release, click here.

Why the Uniform Construction Code is Good for Home Buyers
The UCC, which became the law of the land in April 2004, brings benefits that all homeowners should appreciate. For more information, click here.

Pennsylvania Draft Stormwater "Best Management Practices" Manual
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is in the process of updating its stormwater manual. Work on the manual began about a year ago and completion is scheduled for December. more

House Republicans Announce Historic Green PA Plan
$2 billion investment in environmental health marks the single largest of its kind in state history; will extend state's investment through 2033 with no new or increased fees or taxes. To visit the Green PA Plan website, click here.

DEP Announces New Technology Verification Protocol for On-Lot Systems
DEP recently developed and is implementing a new, centralized Technology Verification Process (TVP) that emphasizes science in the review of new wastewater technologies. full story

Second Board of Directors Meeting
July 21-23, 2005
Nittany Lion Inn
To register for the July board meeting, click here.

Visit the new PBABT website

Order your CODE BOOKS here!

Click here for PA One Call Information

OSHA Assistance for the Residential Construction Industry

Click here for A More Competitive Pennsylvania, a PBA working paper by Cox and Utt

The PBA would like to thank the following sponsors:

Builder/Remodeler Expo
November 17, 2005