Compliance
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R-32 touted as A2L-compliant refrigerant while R-454B shortage persists
Daikin, Amana and Goodman are among the HVAC manufacturers whose systems are compatible with R-32 refrigerants.
By Robert Freedman • May 28, 2025 -
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Building sector needs all hands on deck to meet Washington’s 2050 emissions goal: reports
To substantially decarbonize buildings by 2050, building owners must swap virtually all end-of-life fossil fuel appliances for zero-emissions alternatives after 2030, the Clean Energy Transition Institute and 2050 Institute said.
By Brian Martucci • May 27, 2025 -
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Federal agencies told to start tracking building occupancy
An Office of Management and Budget memo accelerates and expands a process that the Biden administration began to require at least 60% occupancy of federal buildings.
By Robert Freedman • May 13, 2025 -
LEED v5 – now released – increases focus on indoor environment, worker safety
The new version streamlines decarbonization targets and accounts for indoor air quality, continuous monitoring and maintenance staff safety, USGBC’s director of existing buildings says.
By Joe Burns • May 13, 2025 -
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Less efficient commercial refrigerators OK’d in House, Senate resolutions
Most manufacturers have already retooled their operations for higher efficiency standards. Blocking enforcement will open the door to cheaper competing products, say supporters of the new standards.
By Robert Freedman • May 2, 2025 -
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With AI leak detection, 20% lower insurance costs possible, says water management company
Symmons Industries is partnering with data company Caylent to help facilities managers spot water issues before they lead to costly damage.
By Joe Burns • Updated April 22, 2025 -
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FM:Systems’ workplace management platform OK’d for federal use amid tumultuous time for government
FedRAMP authorization will enable agencies to quickly adopt the company's workplace management and room and desk booking software as the government works to optimize space utilization.
By Joe Burns • April 16, 2025 -
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Denver adds flexibility to building performance guidelines
Following public input, including some backlash from building owners, the new rules will push back compliance deadlines, remove electrification report requirements and reduce penalty rates, the city says.
By Joe Burns • April 9, 2025 -
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ACEEE scorecard shows nationwide improvement in state energy efficiency programs
Looking at emissions reduction goals far in advance can help align building capital planning budgets and deep energy retrofits, experts say.
By Joe Burns • March 26, 2025 -
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Schools earn a ‘D+’ for infrastructure
Many public school buildings are hitting their 50-year design life, requiring “comprehensive” upgrades and replacements to key facility systems.
By Naaz Modan • March 26, 2025 -
Building performance standards set to proliferate, evolve in 2025
State and local governments continue to develop building standards that draw on existing frameworks and implement new metrics for measuring performance.
By Joe Burns • March 25, 2025 -
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Madison, Wis., benchmarking program to phase in smaller buildings
Continuous benchmarking and system tune-ups can help owners and operators reduce annual energy use and provide cities with necessary information for setting performance targets, experts say.
By Joe Burns • March 14, 2025 -
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May 4 is St. Louis’ first building performance compliance deadline
The city’s BEPS requires the top 65% of energy users for each building type to reduce energy use by the deadline. The standards get stricter over time.
By Joe Burns • March 11, 2025 -
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How facilities managers can help reduce RTO liability
Property executives can be key in determining which accommodations are reasonable when employees are hesitant to work on-site, an attorney says.
By Robert Freedman • March 7, 2025 -
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FEMA halts enforcement of flood rebuild rule, New York Times reports
By not requiring buildings at risk of repeated flooding to be elevated or moved, the government isn’t saving money, critics say.
By Robert Freedman • Feb. 19, 2025 -
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New York reintroduces bills seeking climate risk, emissions disclosures
Senate Bills 3456 and 3697, if approved, would mandate climate-related disclosures from large companies operating in the Empire State as early as 2027.
By Zoya Mirza • Feb. 6, 2025 -
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Boston expands net-zero emissions requirements to new buildings, large additions
The zoning change requires most new buildings to be net zero when they open. The city previously set similar performance standards for existing buildings.
By Joe Burns • Feb. 3, 2025 -
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Trump delays tariffs on Canada, Mexico; China strikes back at US
The president reached agreements to delay tariffs on both of the nation’s neighbors in exchange for increased border security, while China added its own tariffs on U.S. fossil fuels and other products.
By Philip Neuffer • Updated Feb. 4, 2025 -
"1099 14th Street – National Labor Relations Board" by Geraldshields11 is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0
How the NLRB’s uncertain future could impact hotels
The joint employer rule, which limits franchisor liability for labor violations at locations owned by franchisees, could revert to its Trump-era standard when the board reestablishes quorum, experts say.
By Noelle Mateer • Jan. 30, 2025 -
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Trump funding freeze leaves IIJA, IRA projects in limbo
New executive orders could halt promised funding and stop infrastructure and environmental projects that are already underway, legal experts say.
By Julie Strupp • Jan. 29, 2025 -
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Private prison operations contracts could resume under Trump executive order
A trade association that represents contractor-operated criminal detention facilities called a Biden administration executive order ending such contracts “misguided.”
By Benton Graham • Jan. 29, 2025 -
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DOL pauses contractor hiring discrimination enforcement after Trump order
The decision is the result of a Jan. 22 executive order that rescinded a half-century-old effort to prohibit discrimination by federal contractors.
By Ryan Golden • Jan. 28, 2025 -
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Trump orders GSA to advance ‘beautiful’ federal buildings
The American Institute of Architects expressed concern over the change, which mirrors a move the president made in the final days of his first term.
By Zachary Phillips • Jan. 23, 2025 -
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Deep Dive6 facilities management trends set to define 2025
Facilities managers are leveraging data to optimize operations and meet changing occupier needs while anticipating federal policy shifts and growing data center demand.
By Joe Burns , Nish Amarnath • Jan. 14, 2025 -
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Q&ANY mandates contractor registration for publicly funded projects
The project owner has a responsibility to verify the registration status of all contractors and subcontractors before they begin their work, consultant Kathleen Bloss said.
By Sebastian Obando • Jan. 13, 2025
