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Utility, School District Use Electric Buses to Send Power Back to the Grid

California utility San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) announced that it has successfully deployed an innovative technology that enables eight electric school buses to put electricity back on the power grid when needed, such as on hot summer days. A collaborative effort between SDG&E, the Cajon Valley Union School District, and locally based technology company […]

COVID-19 Task Force Recommends Air Quality Upgrades

A nongovernmental task force recently recommended that building owners begin taking four steps to address SARS-CoV-2 infection risks in schools and workplaces: verifying building systems are performing as designed, increasing outdoor air ventilation, upgrading air filtration, and deploying portable air cleaners where needed. The Lancet COVID-19 Commission’s Task Force on Safe Work, Safe School, and […]

MLB’s Blue Jays Detail Major Stadium Overhaul

The Toronto Blue Jays have unveiled the scope and first renderings of a multiyear $300 million privately funded renovation that will transform Rogers Centre from a stadium into a ballpark through a series of projects focused on modernizing the fan experience and building world-class player facilities. “We are committed to building a sustainable championship organization for years to come, and this renovation to Rogers Centre will […]

Six Ways Facilities Managers Can Save Energy During Heat Waves

During heat waves, many homes, offices, and other buildings typically blast their air conditioning in order to stay cool. However, this increased energy demand can put added stress on the power grid and lead to brownouts or blackouts. In order to help provide relief to the grid (and save money), facilities managers should take steps […]

Safety Advocates Issue Call for Schools to Install Inside-Locking Doors

In the wake of the Uvalde school shooting tragedy, the Door and Hardware Institute, in conjunction with the Door Security & Safety Foundation (DSSF), released the following joint statement: On July 12, NBC News published an article highlighting a basic security feature that is lacking in more than a quarter of all schools across the country—classroom doors […]

How to Turn Facilities into Public Cooling Centers During Extreme Heat

As temperatures and humidity increase in many sections of the United States, we are all looking for relief. Facilities managers should understand the importance of making their facilities into cooling centers and consider the best ways they can help keep the public safe. What Is a Cooling Center? According to the CDC, cooling centers are […]

5 Popular Types of Commercial HVAC Systems to Consider

It’s summertime, and many facilities professionals are hard at work on new building projects and major building renovations. There are several types of commercial heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems to consider when a new system must be installed. The National Institute of Building Sciences advises businesses to consider energy efficiency, occupant comfort, and […]

What Is Aridification, and How Can Facility Managers Help Address the Issue?

An elderly but long-time Californian remembers 1976 as a fun year. The economy was finally pulling out of a recession that started in 1973. The Watergate “nightmare,” as then-President Ford called it, was behind us. And Californians were having a lot of fun with—of all things—a drought that year. They made up comical jingles to […]

Biden Admin. Launches $225M Program to Advance Energy-Efficient Building Codes

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced a Notice of Intent (NOI) to provide $225 million for states and local governments to expand the implementation of the latest building energy codes and support the development of buildings that use less energy. Funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Building Energy Codes: Resilient and Efficient Codes Implementation […]

10 Ways to Make Facilities Decisions Stick

Facilities management professionals need to find ways to communicate effectively with those they are working with. “Having a process to help executives make decisions in an informed way is very important to everyone,” said Kurt Neubek, a certified facilities manager with the International Facilities Management Association (IFMA), an architect, and a Firmwide Healthcare Practice Leader […]