ABC PA joined forces with 20 construction, consulting, and design industries to ask the Governor to recognize residential and commercial construction as a life sustaining business.  See the joint statement below:

March 25, 2020

RE: Joint request to recognize residential and commercial construction as a life sustaining business

Governor Tom Wolf:

The Coronavirus (“COVID-19”) has impacted our personal and professional lives. We fully recognize the enormous challenge you face and support your goal to balance public health and economic stability. Secretary Rachel Levine, MD, is to be commended for providing vital information to Pennsylvanians in her daily updates and public health recommendations.

These historic times call for unity across all spectrums. Therefore, members of the construction, consulting, and design industries have united to ask you to recognize residential and commercial construction as a life sustaining business.

Under Secretary Levine’s guidance, the residential and commercial construction industry has taken the necessary precautions to protect workers and the public from COVID-19 spread. Both residential and commercial construction sites are unique workplaces with built in social distancing. Jobsites are controlled, have safety protocols in place, and many require separation from the general public.

Our collective members have voiced many concerns: it is extremely difficult to shut down a commercial construction site in such a constricted timeframe. Similarly, stopping residential construction projects without proper preparation can lead to insect infestation, negative environmental impacts, and mold. Of great concern, bringing projects to an immediate halt will create additional backlogs and add to the challenges of economic recovery. And clearly, we are very concerned about workers across our industry who are worried about providing for their families through the health crisis.

Other state Governors, including Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Virginia, and West Virginia, that have issued similar executive orders took steps to exempt construction. We encourage you to take this same approach so we can continue our critical work.

We welcome the opportunity to discuss this request further to provide you with technical assistance and help answer any questions you may have. By working together, we can find the right solution to build Pennsylvania’s infrastructure without creating risks in the fight against COVID-19.

Sincerely,

American Concrete Pavement Association, Pennsylvania Chapter
American Council of Engineering Companies of Pennsylvania
The American Institute of Architects of Pennsylvania
American Subcontractors Association of Central Pennsylvania
American Subcontractors Association of Western Pennsylvania
Associated Builders and Contractors of Pennsylvania
Building Industry Association of Philadelphia
Central Pennsylvania Chapter Independent Electrical Contractors
Gordian
Heating Air-Conditioning Refrigeration Distributors International
National Association of Electrical Distributors
National Electrical Manufacturers Representatives Association
National Utility Contractors Association of Pennsylvania
North American Association of Floor Covering Distributors
North American Building Material Distribution Association
Pennsylvania Aggregates and Concrete Association
Pennsylvania Builders Association
Pennsylvania Builders Exchange
Pennsylvania Concrete Masonry Association
Pennsylvania Precast Association

cc:

Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati
Senate Majority Leader Jake Corman
Senate Minority Leader Jay Costa
Members of the Senate Labor & Industry Committee
Members of the Senate Community, Economic and Recreational Development Committee
Speaker Mike Turzai
House Majority Leader Bryan Cutler
House Minority Leader Frank Dermody
Members of the House Labor & Industry Committee
Members of the House Commerce Committee