Regulatory Affairs
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New WOTUS Definition Released
In the closing days of 2022, the Biden administration released the final definition of “Waters of the United States” (WOTUS), expanding which land use projects require federal permitting and review. “When Congress passed the Clean Water Act 50 years ago, it recognized that protecting our waters is essential to ensuring healthy communities and a thriving… Read More
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MnDOT Announces Start of Spring Load Restrictions
The Minnesota Department of Transportation has announced the start of Spring Load Restrictions (SLR). SLRs will begin in the following regions: MnDOT will continue to monitor and evaluate weather conditions to make further announcements regarding the start date of spring load restrictions in other zones. Full-summer overweight permits can be issued, during the spring load… Read More
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Winter load increases to end in certain zones
The Minnesota Department of Transportation has announced the ending of winter load increases (WLI) beginning next week. WLIs will expire in the South, Southeast, and Metro seasonal load limit zones on Monday, March 6 and 12:01 a.m. MnDOT will continue to monitor and evaluate weather conditions to make further announcements regarding the start date of… Read More
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Energy Code Chaos at the Legislature
A bill that has potential to create chaos in the energy code process was heard in a house committee for the second time on Tuesday. HF 772 (Rep. Kraft, St. Louis Park), originally was drafted to modify the adoption process for the energy code for new commercial buildings. But, author amendments that have since been… Read More
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MPCA Releases Draft 2023 Construction Stormwater General Permit
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) released its draft 2023 Construction Stormwater General Permit (General Permit) this week. The General Permit outlines erosion control requirements on construction sites one acre or larger throughout the state. The current General Permit expires on July 31, 2023, and the final 2023 General Permit will go into effect on Aug. 1.… Read More
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New WOTUS Definition Leads To Multiple Lawsuits
A coalition of national trade organizations and the State of Texas filed separate federal legal challenges on Jan. 18, 2023, contesting the EPA’s revised definition of “Waters of the United States” (WOTUS), which regulates which land use projects require federal permits. As Housing Industry News reported earlier this month, the new WOTUS definition reverts to the definition… Read More
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State Regulators Require Climate Change Disclosures in Environmental Assessments
The Minnesota Environmental Quality Board (EQB) modified the Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) in December by adding climate change estimates to the form. Under the modified form, there are two new items required under question 7: Information Sought, Action Not Mandated The EAW form change is only seeking information. Under Minnesota law, project applicants can only… Read More
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Biden Administration Expands WOTUS Definition
In the closing days of 2022, the Biden administration released the final definition of “waters of the United States” (WOTUS), expanding which land use projects require federal permitting and review. “When Congress passed the Clean Water Act 50 years ago, it recognized that protecting our waters is essential to ensuring healthy communities and a thriving… Read More
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Twin Cities homebuilders respond to slowing market
According to the National Association of Home Builders Housing Market Index, builder sentiment in November fell to the lowest level since 2012, apart from the first two months of the COVID-19 pandemic. Throughout the pandemic, builders were seeing fast and furious demand from buyers. But now, overall economic uncertainty and mortgage rate increases have led… Read More
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Board of Electricity wraps technical review
In early December, the Board of Electricity’s 2023 National Electrical Code (NEC) review committee completed a four-meeting review of the 2023 NEC. This review marked a returnto in-person technical review meetings, a first since the COVID pandemic began. In July, Housing First Minnesota, the statewide housing trade association, called for a deeper technical review following… Read More