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Thank you to our dedicated sponsor,

SCANA Energy

 


 
SAVE THE DATE!

HBAG Fall Board
Loews Atlanta Hotel
Sept. 24 & 25, 2015
 
 
NAHB Fall Board
Dallas, TX
Sept. 26-29, 2015 
 
 
 

 
Check out the latest edition of the Georgia Builder on the Georgia Builder website here.
HBAG's magazine has added a digital component. Hard copies will still be distributed. 

  

   


 

The 2015 Resource Guide is online!  

The HBAG membership directory is now available on the HBAG website. Click here to view the 2015 Resource Guide. 
 

  



 2014-2015
HBAG Leadership
  
President
Ted Noe
Vice President
Neal Davis
Vice President/Treasurer 
Lamar Smith
Vice President/Secretary
Bobby Cleveland
Immediate Past President
Rob DeRieux
Associate Vice President
Amanda Roland 
GEOC President
Mary Mardis
 
Area Associate Directors
 
Area I (Greater Atlanta)
Heather Bounds
 Area II (Bartow, Dalton, Fannin, Gilmer, Gordon, Paulding, Rome, Westside)-
Corey Minshew
 Area III (Barrow, North GA, Jackson County, Northeast, Georgia Mountain)-
Sammy Baker
 Area IV (Columbus, Midwest, West)-
Lonnie Williams
 Area V (Athens, Augusta, Lake Oconee, Newton County)-
Judy Malcom
 Area VI (Middle Georgia)-
Amanda Roland
 Area VII (Albany, South GA)-
Vicky Biles
 Area VIII (Golden Isles, Savannah, Statesboro)- 
Tara Mincey   

  


HBAG Member Rebate Program
 
 
 
No one likes to leave money on the table. So, what would you think if you could get a rebate for your loyalty to many of the nation's leading product suppliers? Well, now you can! HBAG's Member Rebate Program increases your bottom line. For the minimal effort of informing us about the home construction products you use and when you close on a home or project, you'll be putting money back in your pocket. Both Builder and Remodeler companies, no matter how large or small, qualify for the program, and you are not required to use products from every manufacturer. For more information and to register click here and the claim form can be found here.
Like the Member Rebate Program Facebook page for updates and reminders!


  

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HBAG Mourns BA of Metro Augusta President Joey Brush



HBAG was deeply saddened by the loss of dedicated HBAG member Joey Brush from Augusta in a motorcycle accident on the morning of May 7th. Joey was a very passionate member and served as the current President of the BA of Metro Augusta. Joey was an active member of HBAG and was always working hard serving on one task force or another. Not only was he passionate about the building industry, but he was also a former state legislator and a minister. His hard-working and lively spirit will be greatly missed. Please keep his family and loved ones in your thoughts and prayers.
 
You can read the article from the Augusta Chronicle here.
  
"Our state lost a noble Georgian today. Senator Joey Brush was not only a fierce advocate for conservative values in the Georgia legislature but was also a great friend," Cagle said. "He will be deeply missed and his legacy will not be forgotten." 

Regulatory Affairs Updates
Updates from Regulatory Affairs Consultant Bettie Sleeth
 
New Water Heater Standards

 

New Federal manufacturing rules for residential water heater energy-efficiency standards went into effect April 16 that will require changes to the installation of many residential water heaters. Most water heaters with a capacity of 55 gallons or less will require more installation space, and those larger than 55 gallons in capacity will see additional, more significant changes. However, products manufactured before April 16 can still be bought and installed after the changeover date. 
 

Water Heater Standards 

 

New Air Conditioner & Heat Pump Standards
 

New Federal NAECA III standards for air conditioners and heat pumps went into effect in early 2015. These standards are at the manufacturer level and not the building code level. First the HVAC standards change from 13 to 14 SEER for heat pumps and air conditioners in the state of GA. The HVAC Distributors surveyed were hopeful that there should not be a major increase in cost since the heat pump standard is national and the A/C standard is regional, the manufacturers should be able to shift their inventory around the country to minimize pricing impacts.

 

Air Conditioner & Heat Pump Standards 

 

Clean Water Act

 

Despite major opposition from industry, business and agriculture, USEPA issued the final rule on May 27, 2015, greatly expanding the Clean Water Act and redefining "waters of the United States". It no longer uses "navigable waters and their tributaries" but includes tributaries that have flow only after a heavy rainfall or in our opinion, ditches.

 

Congress is involved and is attempting to remedy the situation. HR 1732 prevents EPA from implementing this Rule. It has passed the House and is awaiting hearings in the Senate along with a companion bill. Whether it passes and has enough support to withstand an expected Presidential veto remains to be seen. There may be law suits or injunctions to prevent implementation.

 

Currently, the Rule is expected to become effective in 60 days or the end of July. The new Rule would affect new or renewing Corps of Engineer permits. We do not expect the current NPDES to have to be redrafted until time for renewal in 2018.But that is also not clear. NAHB and HBAG are closely monitoring the progress and studying the potential impacts. HBAG will keep you informed. Contact Bettie at bsleeth@hbag.org with questions.

 

The ALL Home Program is Growing!
The A Liveable Lifestyle Home Program is seeing growth this spring

 

The sounds of spring have brought along the sounds of hammering nails and new construction appears to be on the rise! The ALL Home Program has seen more interest and growth over the course of the past couple of months. We would like to introduce you to our newest members, Mark & Brett Bouy of Bouy Brothers Builders and Glynn Bruker with ParkRidge Builders.

  

Bouy Brothers Builders, Inc. is owned and operated by Savannah, Georgia natives Mark and Brett Bouy, who are second generation homebuilders. They bring over fifty years of combined homebuilding experience to the company. Since 1983, they have been constructing quality homes and neighborhoods

and building a flawless reputation.
 

 

Glynn Bruker is President and Owner of Park Ridge Builders. He has been building custom homes in the CSRA for over 30 years.  He is an active member of the HBA of Augusta and is a licensed builder in both Georgia and South Carolina. Glynn also holds a  Certified Aging in Place Specialist certification from the NAHB.  

 

 

ALL is a voluntary certification program with design features built into a new home or within a remodeled home that promote a liveable and accessible lifestyle. It is a home for all people - young or old, and of all abilities. ALL is a state-wide program. It works for builders and consumers in all price points and home types. 

  

To learn more about this growing program, please contact Bettie Sleeth at bsleeth@hbag.org. Be sure to like the ALL - A Liveable Lifestyle Home Program Facebook page by clicking here.


Universal Service Fund (USF) Survey
Atlanta Gas Light Company's annual USF survey for Georgia

Below is the link to Atlanta Gas Light Company's annual Universal Service Fund (USF) survey for Georgia. The survey is used to determine potential routes to expand AGL's existing facilities into unserved or underserved areas. This survey link is meant for potential builders, developers and/or economic development groups who may have interests in having natural gas available in their areas. Customers can submit up to 5 projects on a single survey response, and should you need to submit additional projects, please complete a second survey.  The results of this survey will be evaluated and a comprehensive plan will be submitted to the Georgia Public Service Commission for consideration. Completing the survey in no way guarantees natural gas service to a development.

 

The survey is currently open, and all surveys will need to be completed by Tuesday, June 30, 2015.

 

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/JT33YK9 

 

Thank you to our dedicated sponsor, SCANA Energy