ASHRAE invites comments on energy-efficient building equipment, lighting allowance addenda

The changes include a new rating mandate for fin-and-tube coils and exhaust energy recovery heat exchangers.

By Nish Amarnath • July 31, 2023

Bipartisan legislation eyes mechanical insulation for energy efficiency

The Federal Mechanical Insulation Act of 2023 seeks to cut emissions, save on costs and bolster safety measures in two years or less. 

By Nish Amarnath • July 27, 2023

SEC votes to overhaul disclosure rules for material cyber events

After a fierce debate, the agency voted to require companies to come clean on material breaches and attacks within four business days of determination.

By David Jones • July 26, 2023

ASHRAE calls for comments on refrigeration, control design analysis and efficient water use standard addenda

Changes include clarifications to the term “human comfort," organizational improvements and baseline requirements for efficient use of water in mechanical and process systems.

By Joe Burns • July 25, 2023

Utah, Louisiana building code measures seek to build climate change resilience

The measures in both states follow a spate of forest fires.

By Nish Amarnath • July 25, 2023

Energy-efficient buildings save lives during extreme weather events: Department of Energy

Meeting or exceeding current codes can improve habitability by up to 140% during extreme heat events, a report found.

By Joe Burns • July 25, 2023

Climate tech startup Aeroseal nets $67M

The company said the funding, led by Climate Investment and Bill Gates’ Breakthrough Energy Ventures, will be used to seal leaky air ducts in about 260,000 buildings per year by 2026.

By Nish Amarnath • July 24, 2023

EPA warns facility operators to prepare for severe weather

The Environmental Protection Agency advises operators to review shutdown and reporting procedures as the Gulf Coast enters hurricane season.

By Joe Burns • July 19, 2023

Oregon plans to install 500,000 new heat pumps by 2030. Who’s going to do the work?

The state plans to provide developers, builders, contractors and technicians with technical training to install energy-efficient appliances.

By Kavya Balaraman • July 19, 2023

OSHA electronic recordkeeping rule to take effect in 2024

In a second attempt to enhance electronic record mandates, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration rule requires employers with 100 or more employees to submit information from Forms 300 and 301 once a year.

By Ryan Golden • Updated July 17, 2023

Department of Energy awards ASHRAE $2.85M building code training grant

The initiative is expected to save four partner states more than $18.5 million by providing officials training to boost compliance with building energy codes.

By Joe Burns • July 17, 2023

JPMorgan transforms 27-year-old Polaris facility in Ohio into a smart building

The 2-million-square-foot building’s renovations involved installing almost 40,000 rooftop and carport solar modules, and will help achieve a 40% decarbonization target by 2030.

By Nish Amarnath • July 17, 2023

DOE awards $90M for greener building energy codes

The Energy Department says modernizing energy codes is one of the most cost-effective routes to improved energy efficiency in buildings and increased resilience to climate risk.

By Ysabelle Kempe • July 17, 2023

Poppy releases air tracer system to help buildings meet new ASHRAE standard

The company’s BreatheScore Certify product measures the effectiveness of building ventilation within 20 minutes and provides data on compliance with ASHRAE Standard 241, Control of Infectious Aerosols.

By Joe Burns • July 14, 2023

EPA wants stricter rules for child care centers, elementary schools

The Environmental Protection Agency’s draft proposed rule would significantly reduce levels of lead paint in older school and childcare buildings, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says there are no safe lead levels for children. 

By Kara Arundel • July 14, 2023

Northampton mulls adoption of energy efficient opt-in stretch code

The Massachusetts city is weighing the pros and cons of embracing a specialized stretch energy code to dissuade fossil fuel use in new building construction.

By Nish Amarnath • July 13, 2023

C&W Services’ Life Science SVP: Labor consistency more important than dollar increase in wages

Chisolm recently assumed a leadership role at Cushman & Wakefield Services to drive the development of the firm’s life sciences portfolio.

By Joe Burns • July 13, 2023

Financial woes prompt resistance to building code updates

Misgivings about expenses are fueling dissent against new building codes, which seek to aggressively curb emissions and fossil fuel consumption.

By Nish Amarnath • July 12, 2023

GSA selects nZero to track carbon emissions across its federal building portfolio

The company will provide real-time carbon management and accounting to help the federal government test novel and historical sustainability-focused building technologies.

By Joe Burns • July 12, 2023

US Green Building Council seeks votes on LEED update through open ballot

While USGBC committees develop LEED v5, the ballot for the LEED v4 energy update, open through August 10, is set for release in January 2024.

By Nish Amarnath • July 12, 2023

From power to pharma, companies need better carbon emissions reporting

The key to progress is interoperability, or the ability to compare, share and use information across greenhouse gas accounting and reporting systems.

By Liv Watson and Marian Van Pelt • July 10, 2023

Scottsdale, Arizona greenlights commercial green code for new builds, renovations

Scottsdale is the state’s first city to implement an amended edition of the 2021 International Green Construction Code.

By Nish Amarnath • July 7, 2023

California clears path for safe conversion of underused commercial buildings

The California Building Standards Commission’s vote to amend existing building code allows multiple compliance paths for adaptive reuse.

By Nish Amarnath • July 6, 2023

Cambridge, Massachusetts, becomes first US city to require net zero emissions

The city has advanced its emissions reduction goal for large buildings by 15 years in an aggressive bid to ward off the worst impacts of climate change. 

By Nish Amarnath • July 5, 2023

Insufficient staff, outdated processes expose firms to risk: survey

Only 37% of surveyed respondents believe that their organizations have sufficient staffing to properly run compliance programs and internal controls, FloQast found.

By Elizabeth Flood • June 29, 2023