Buildings & Design: Page 6
-
To chart its path away from gas, Massachusetts launches energy transformation office
Headed by a former utility executive, the office will convene a task force with representatives from utilities, municipalities, business, labor and the supply chain industry.
By Ysabelle Kempe • March 25, 2024 -
DC’s downtown revival plan, from office conversions to ‘neighborhood safety centers’
Facing public safety concerns, the possible loss of two professional sports teams and costly office-to-residential conversions, Washington, D.C., officials released highlights of a proposed revitalization.
By Danielle McLean • March 22, 2024 -
New York City bill would mandate solar panels on public buildings
The legislation would prohibit the use of power purchase agreements to meet solar targets, leaving the city to figure out who should handle routine operations and maintenance of the systems.
By Nish Amarnath • March 12, 2024 -
ASHRAE commercial building code standard now requires on-site renewables
The Energy Department estimates that ASHRAE’s updated Standard 90.1 will drive energy savings nationwide. States have two years to certify that they have reviewed and, if needed, updated their codes.
By Nish Amarnath • March 8, 2024 -
Q&A
Think holistically about infrastructure, new president of civil engineering group urges
The American Society of Civil Engineers’ Marsia Geldert-Murphey talks about why public transit is the most underfunded infrastructure sector and how to build climate change-ready structures.
By Julie Strupp • March 7, 2024 -
Building energy code revamps can get another $90M from DOE
More energy-efficient homes can remain habitable longer during extreme heat and cold events, which could save lives, a Department of Energy-commissioned study finds.
By Ysabelle Kempe • March 5, 2024 -
LA City Council plans to streamline solar, battery installation review process
The move, which echoes a similar initiative in New York City, aims to help Los Angeles reach its goal of 100% carbon-free electricity by 2035.
By Joe Burns • March 5, 2024 -
NYC defines ‘green economy,’ projects job growth in new action plan
The 124-page plan released yesterday is the city’s latest signal that it is hungry to be at the center of climate change-related business and workforce growth.
By Ysabelle Kempe • Feb. 29, 2024 -
JLL urges governments to right-size leased space, focus on talent retention in 2024
Agencies must reimagine workspaces to attract younger workers amid a looming “talent cliff,” according to the firm’s 2024 government trends report.
By Brian Martucci • Feb. 27, 2024 -
Heat pumps would cut energy bills for majority of US homes: NREL research
Even so, “we need work to bring down the cost of installing heat pumps,” said a senior research engineer at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.
By Ysabelle Kempe • Feb. 23, 2024 -
5 of the largest office-to-residential conversions underway across the US
Over 55,000 residential units are in the pipeline, concentrated in major metros.
By Mary Salmonsen • Feb. 22, 2024 -
Building decarbonization guide to be developed by ASHRAE, Noresco
The guide will provide case studies, guidance and key takeaways to help building owners and operators establish robust plans and feel confident in their decarbonization endeavors, says the chair of the guide’s working group.
By Nish Amarnath • Feb. 21, 2024 -
Los Angeles public-private partnership works to advance industrial solar
The decade-old Feed-in Tariff program pays property owners for solar energy, but long grid interconnection queues and lingering “mistrust” hinder adoption, a business group leader notes.
By Brian Martucci • Feb. 14, 2024 -
Washington, DC, readies tax abatement program for commercial-to-residential conversions
The incentive provides property owners up to $2.5 million for each fiscal year from 2024 through 2026 through a provision that a local attorney describes as “critical to the lifeblood of the city.”
By Nish Amarnath • Feb. 12, 2024 -
Retrieved from Screenshot: Boston City TV/YouTube on February 09, 2024
Boston’s first networked geothermal project will electrify 7 public housing buildings
Geothermal systems are a promising approach to transitioning communities off fossil fuels for heating and cooling, experts say.
By Ysabelle Kempe • Feb. 9, 2024 -
9 states pledge to accelerate zero-emission heat pump sales
The pledge sends a clear market signal, said the senior policy advisor for an association of Northeastern state air quality agencies.
By Ysabelle Kempe • Feb. 7, 2024 -
Neighborhood-scale building decarbonization: 2 approaches
Relying on the replacement of one appliance at a time isn’t enough to meet federal and state climate goals, said the Building Decarbonization Coalition’s executive director.
By Ysabelle Kempe • Feb. 6, 2024 -
ASHRAE, ICC unveil draft standard for GHG emission assessment in buildings
The proposed Standard 240P intends to provide a common platform to measure and report greenhouse gas emissions of buildings, the organizations say.
By Nish Amarnath • Feb. 5, 2024 -
3 ways Washington cities are reimagining downtowns
Facing empty offices and shops and less pedestrian activity, these cities are seizing the opportunity for creative placemaking.
By Adina Solomon • Feb. 5, 2024 -
Is the EV revolution over?
Despite a sales slowdown, apartment owners and developers should charge ahead with electric vehicle infrastructure, experts say.
By Amanda Loudin • Feb. 1, 2024 -
FEMA to help communities pay for net-zero energy projects post-disaster
Communities can now leverage the agency’s grant programs to install solar microgrids, heat pumps and passive cooling when rebuilding schools, hospitals, fire stations and other infrastructure in disaster’s wake.
By Ysabelle Kempe • Feb. 1, 2024 -
US cities’ outlook for 2024
Cities are pushing ahead on innovative bids to build more sustainable, safe and equitable communities, but many of the roadblocks they face likely aren't going anywhere.
By Smart Cities Dive staff • Jan. 31, 2024 -
Extreme heat watch: Will cities be ready for summer 2024?
This year could be even hotter than last year’s record-breaker, some scientists say. Cities are using the winter to prepare.
By Ysabelle Kempe • Jan. 31, 2024 -
Chicago mayor proposes natural gas ban in new buildings
This marks the first time the city has introduced a building decarbonization ordinance, a city employee said. The proposal drew swift backlash from the local gas industry.
By Ysabelle Kempe • Jan. 25, 2024 -
ASHRAE updates energy efficiency standard for existing buildings
The 2024 edition of Standard 100 contains new metrics for setting emissions targets and a “simple” compliance mechanism for energy-efficient and low-emission buildings.
By Joe Burns • Jan. 22, 2024