Category: Sustainability/Business Continuity

DOE Awards $90M to Boost Adoption of Building Energy Codes

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced $90 million for 25 projects across the country to help states, cities, Tribal Nations, and their partners adopt and successfully implement updated energy codes for residential and commercial buildings. Building energy codes establish energy efficiency standards for new buildings, additions, and major renovations. According to the DOE, modern codes […]

ASHRAE Program Certifies Inaugural Group of Decarbonization Professionals

In facilities management, industry certifications can be a great way to expand your expertise, advance your career, and stand out to current and future employers. Several organizations already offer a number of certifications to consider, and the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) is adding another to the list. ASHRAE is proud […]

EPA Announces Label Program for Greener Construction Materials

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently announced it’s implementing a new label program to boost clean American manufacturing by helping federal purchasers and other buyers find and buy cleaner, more climate-friendly construction materials and products. “The label program is made possible by a $100 million investment in the Biden-Harris Administration’s Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and aims […]

The Hidden Benefits of a Well-Designed Security Barrier System

Security barrier systems are typically viewed as mere protective measures, installed to prevent unauthorized access and enhance safety. However, these systems offer a wealth of hidden benefits that extend far beyond their primary security function. In this guide, we’ll explore the lesser-known benefits of security barrier systems, revealing how they can be used to address […]

Green Airport Projects Included in Over $2B in Infrastructure Grants

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has awarded more than $2 billion in new grants to improve airport infrastructure across the country, including millions of dollars for sustainability projects. Specifically, the funding includes $1.9 billion in grants under the Airport Improvement Program (AIP) and $269 million in FY 2023 Supplemental Discretionary Grants. In addition to the […]

K-12 Schools Across America Switch to Solar Power

Schools throughout the U.S. are rapidly switching to solar power to meet their energy needs while gaining significant cost-savings, boosting climate resilience, and supporting workforce development, according to a new report from clean energy nonprofit Generation180. Over the past decade, the amount of solar capacity installed at K-12 schools has more than quadrupled nationwide. According to “Brighter […]

EPA Funds $34M to Improve Indoor Air Quality at Schools

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has selected five groups to receive $34 million in grants for projects helping address indoor air pollution in K-12 schools in low-income, disadvantaged, and Tribal communities across the country. This announcement comes after the agency revealed $26 million in funding to protect children from lead in drinking water at schools […]

There’s Real Value in Water Efficiency

On July 29, 2024, Cal Water, the third largest water utility company in the country serving half-a-million customers in California, announced that it has helped its customers reduce their water bills by 20.5% in the last 15 years. This is compared to what they might have been charged without water conservation and water efficiency efforts […]

Connecting the Dots: How Tech Can Boost Visibility and Autonomy in School Operations

In 2018, a third of Baltimore’s schools closed due to heating issues. In 2019, schools in Providence, R.I., faced leaking sewage and contaminated drinking water. These aren’t signs of low funding—average U.S. public school spending per pupil actually rose 8.9% to $15,633 in fiscal year 2022. So, what’s the problem? Research paints a clear picture. […]

Top 3 Strategies to Design and Build Eco-Friendly Facilities in 2024

The need for new buildings and facilities is soaring, buoyed by surging demand for everything from manufacturing to clean energy infrastructure and the triumvirate of legislation making construction more cost-effective, including the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), and the Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors (CHIPS) Act. While this […]