Compliance
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NZero’s AI tool aims to offer “low-friction entry point” to building decarbonization process
The Rapid Emissions Profile can produce benchmark efficiency profiles, conduct automated opportunity assessments for cost and emissions savings, and evaluate potential penalties for non-compliance, the company says.
By Nish Amarnath • May 1, 2024 -
Energy Department finalizes rule to phase out fossil fuels in federal buildings
In a push for net-zero emissions from federal facilities by 2045, the new rule mandates a 90% reduction in on-site fossil fuel use by 2029 and complete elimination after 2030.
By Nish Amarnath • April 26, 2024 -
Hotel organizations slam Labor Department’s new overtime eligibility threshold
The rule gives some hotel workers access to higher pay, but hospitality industry organizations say the added cost could lead hotels to cut jobs.
By Jenna Walters • April 26, 2024 -
Labor Department will raise overtime salary threshold to $44K in July, $59K next year
The final rule expands overtime pay eligibility to millions of U.S. workers, the federal agency says.
By Ryan Golden • April 24, 2024 -
Employer groups ask court to vacate DOL independent contractor rule
The U.S. Department of Labor’s rule “injects new inconsistencies and incoherence into the analysis of independent contractor status,” the groups said in a lawsuit filed Wednesday.
By Ryan Golden • April 22, 2024 -
DOE finalizes 4 appliance efficiency rules expected to save $33B over 30 years
The rules include new requirements for commercial rooftop heating and cooling units set to take effect in 2029 and expected to reduce energy use about 33%.
By Robert Walton • April 18, 2024 -
Uptime Institute launches data center, digital infrastructure sustainability assessment
The assessment covers 14 key categories of data center design and operations, including facilities and IT management, to provide visibility into environmental footprints, the organization says.
By Joe Burns • April 17, 2024 -
DOL’s final overtime rule clears White House review
The U.S. Department of Labor’s proposed rule, if adopted, would raise the minimum annual salary threshold that determines overtime pay eligibility under the Fair Labor Standards Act from $35,568 to $55,068.
By Ryan Golden • April 17, 2024 -
DOE finalizes new light bulb standard expected to save consumers $27B on utility bills over 30 years
The new rule, slated to take effect in 2028, will cut 70 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions in the next three decades, the U.S. Department of Energy says.
By Robert Walton • April 15, 2024 -
As DOE updates how it sets energy efficiency standards, advocates, legislators push it to act faster
The U.S. Department of Energy has made progress reviewing a backlog of appliance efficiency standards, but advocates and lawmakers say the administration must redouble those efforts as the election looms.
By Robert Walton • April 12, 2024 -
What employers need to know about union organizing in 2024
The game has completely changed in the wake of the Cemex decision, attorneys from Cozen O’Connor said in a March 21 webinar.
By Emilie Shumway • April 2, 2024 -
Legislation to boost federal building security, oversight awaits House vote
The bills, approved by the Senate in late March, aim to strengthen worker safety and address project delays and budget overruns in federal facilities.
By Nish Amarnath • April 1, 2024 -
Phoenix passes worker heat safety ordinance amid rising heat, deaths
The measure, which applies to city contractors and subcontractors, emerges on the heels of labor demands and record high temperatures last year.
By Ginger Christ • March 29, 2024 -
DOL recovers $1.5M in back wages from contractors on California project
The U.S. Department of Labor’s investigation found that 35 contractors, spanning security, recruiting and construction, violated labor laws on federally funded projects.
By Zachary Phillips • March 28, 2024 -
ICC’s decision on 2024 energy conservation code draws criticism, debate
The International Code Council, after receiving nine appeals, has voted to move provisions aimed at slashing greenhouse gas emissions from the main code to appendices.
By Nish Amarnath • March 22, 2024 -
Modine’s school HVAC solutions certified for safety and compliance
It certified many of its Airedale indoor air quality products to stay ahead of new federal regulations slated to take effect in 2025, the thermal management company says.
By Nish Amarnath • March 21, 2024 -
Federal appeals court pauses SEC climate rule implementation
Liberty Energy and its co-filers, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, argued the SEC has “no clear authority” to require climate disclosures.
By Lamar Johnson • March 20, 2024 -
House passes bill to keep federal building use rates above 60%
Under the USE IT Act, higher utilization rates would give buildings a leg up for capital improvements; lower rates could lead to space consolidation or downsizing.
By S.L. Fuller • March 19, 2024 -
New York City bill would mandate solar panels on public buildings
The legislation would require 100 megawatts of solar photovoltaic systems to be installed on the roofs of city-owned buildings by the end of 2025, with a broader goal of 150 MW by 2030.
By Nish Amarnath • Updated March 12, 2024 -
Independent contractor rule takes effect
In a statement, the Society for Human Resource Management said the rule “fosters ambiguity” and deters businesses from extending essential training to independent workers.
By Emilie Shumway • March 11, 2024 -
Conflicting views on SEC’s authority set the tone for climate disclosure rule vote
The newly passed regulation faces criticism from detractors, who believe it goes too far, as well as supporters, who argue it doesn't go far enough.
By Zoya Mirza , Lamar Johnson • March 8, 2024 -
ASHRAE introduces renewable energy in latest building energy standard
The Department of Energy has affirmed ASHRAE’s updated Standard 90.1, estimating that it will drive energy savings nationwide. States now have two years to certify that they have reviewed and, if needed, updated their codes.
By Nish Amarnath • Updated March 8, 2024 -
SEC approves final climate disclosure rule, starts compliance countdown
The rule passed by a 3-2 vote Wednesday morning, absent requirements for scope 3 reporting and slimmer scope 1 and scope 2 requirements.
By Lamar Johnson • March 7, 2024 -
SEC drops scope 3 emissions reporting from final climate rule, takes phased approach to scope 1 and 2
The agency said it removed scope 3 due to a large number of comments concerning compliance costs as well as the consistency and reliability of scope 3 data.
By Lamar Johnson • March 6, 2024 -
GSA’s actions on deferred maintenance in federal buildings acknowledged by OIG
The U.S. General Services Administration’s Public Buildings Service arm has taken “appropriate corrective action” to address recommendations made in a 2021 audit, an inspector general report says.
By Nish Amarnath • March 5, 2024