HBA of Midwest Georgia along with

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NAHB Applauds EPA’S

 

Decision to Delay

 

 Lead Paint Certification Enforcement

 

NAHB applauded the EPA's decision last week to delay enforcement of the new Lead: Renovation, Repair and Painting rule in order to give remodelers and other contractors more time to get trained. The decision will also give the government more time toget the word out to consumers about the importance of hiring a certified remodeler. "EPA listened to our concerns  and did the right thing," said NAHB Chairman Bob Jones.

 In revised guidance that the agency recently released, it acknowledges that remodelers in many parts of the country have been unable to obtain the required training to comply with the rule — a problem that NAHB has urged EPA to solve since the rule was announced two years ago. This issue came to a head in May after floods devastated parts of Tennessee and there weren't enough certified remodelers to complete the much-needed home repairs. NAHB and the state home builders association proposed a delay in enforcing the rule at that time, and our answer came with EPA's announcement (which used much of the same language that was in our request).

Importantly, in its decision to delay enforcement of the rule, EPA said that remodelers, electricians, heating and air conditioning technicians and other contractors must adhere to lead-safe work practices, including the use of special equipment filters and a ban on open flames, but that EPA will not take enforcement action against firms that have been unable to obtain certification until Oct. 1 of this year. Individual contractors, it said, must apply to enroll in a training class by Sept. 30 and complete that training by Dec. 31, 2010.

Seeking clarification of the EPA's announcement and an opportunity to discuss the agency's recent proposal to require clearance testing, NAHB Remodelers leaders Bob Hanbury and Bob Peterson traveled to Washington this week to meet with EPA Assistant Administrator Steve Owens and other agency officials. Unfortunately, before the meeting, the Assistant Administrator's office ruled out any discussion on the confusion surrounding EPA's decision to extend the deadline for enforcing lead paint certification requirements through this September. Instead, we were told that another division within the agency will issue clarifying language, including an explanation of how remodelers and other contractors can be expected to abide by lead-safe work practices before they've been able to obtain the necessary training.  At the agency's request, NAHB has provided EPA with suggestions on how to ensure remodelers work safely before they get trained, such as by taking advantage of the local home builders association certification classes.

 

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Let’s talk facts:

 

America currently has about 105 million occupied housing units.  About 70 million of those are owner-occupied.  The other 35 million are rental units. Total equity (value of homes minus any mortgage debt) amounts to $8.5 trillion. 37 percent of all home owners own their home outright, with no mortgage debt. And for those who have mortgages, 93 percent are  making their payments on time every month. Home values will ultimately bottom out and start edging back up.  Once we turn the corner on the housing downturn, the longer term housing outlook is promising.

 

 

  Mission Statement 

THE HOME BUILDERS ASSOCIATION of  MIDWEST GEORGIA:

STRIVES TO PROMOTE, EDUCATE, INVOLVE AND SERVE  

TODAY'S BUILDING INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS IN CREATING

TOMORROW'S COMMUNITIES.

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Judges voted unanimously that All Seasons Painting

had the most creative Hole Sponsorship!

Owner Al Ossanna and staff put on a fabulous

SHISH-KABOB cookout complete with interesting

beverages on hole number 9!

Watch this website for pictures.