Practical Facilities Tips, News & Advice.
During a November 16 webinar, more information was released regarding the highly anticipated draft of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) version 5 Operations and Maintenance (O&M) rating system. The draft was released in September 2023 at the 2023 Greenfield Conference and Expo. While the launch of LEED […]
The Morrison Center, constructed on the National Security Agency (NSA)/Central Security Service (CSS) Washington East Campus in Fort Mead, Md., has received the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification—the first project on the campus to earn the designation. The 843,000 square-foot, seven-story facility opened in November 2022. As the […]
By 2030, the number of electric vehicles (EVs) on American roads is projected to reach 26.4 million. Furthermore, President Joe Biden has set a goal of having 50% of all new vehicle sales be electric, again by 2030. In order to support this EV initiative, the president also announced his vision of building 500,000 new […]
Leading organizations dedicated to sustainable building practices and impact reduction in the built environment have joined forces to align around the Common Materials Framework (CMF), which establishes a common language for holistic material sustainability in the building industry. The groups include the American Institute of Architects (AIA), the International Living Future Institute (ILFI), the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI), […]
With the growing adoption of renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and bioenergy, many industrial and commercial facilities managers are looking to add renewables to offset fossil fuel use, reduce energy costs, and meet sustainability goals. However, choosing the right renewable energy system requires careful evaluation of a facility’s unique energy needs, siting, costs, and […]
The New York Power Authority (NYPA) and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey completed the installation of energy-efficient LED lights throughout One World Trade Center, the tallest building in the United States. The project began in April 2022. Such lighting projects directly support BuildSmart 2025, a statewide energy efficiency program administered by NYPA […]
In 2018, the United States generated 292.4 million tons of municipal solid waste (MSW), which is the trash created by homes, businesses, and institutions. While 32% was recycled or composted, Americans still have a long way to go in improving waste reduction and reducing our impact on the environment. As a facilities manager, you have […]
The October 12 CityAge: Unleashing Clean Energy Systems digital event featured discussions on facility energy efficiency, decarbonizing buildings, and deploying clean energy infrastructure. It also highlighted sustainability projects at major facilities in New York and New Jersey, as well as Kansas City, Missouri, and Phoenix, Arizona, which can serve as examples for facilities managers to […]
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey announced that Newark Liberty International Airport’s new Terminal A has received Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). The sustainability achievement aligns with the port authority’s agency-wide goal to reach net-zero carbon emissions. Following a $2.7 billion […]
The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) announced a $2 billion investment for more than 150 construction projects that use cleaner construction materials, known as “low-embodied carbon” (LEC) materials, as part of the Biden administration’s Investing in America agenda. The funding will support projects at federal facilities across 39 states, the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of […]