Category: Sustainability/Business Continuity

Unlocking Efficiency: Navigating the Future with Facility Automation

By Paul Phillips, Chief Technology Officer, Eptura Feb 6, 2024 Building Controls

Updated: Feb 6, 2024

The shift towards hybrid work has revolutionized workplace dynamics, prompting operational leaders to adapt swiftly. With this evolution, employees have presented diverse demands, compelling leaders to leverage workplace technology for precise metrics. This technological utilization is not solely for convenience; it has become integral for managing facilities and strategizing space allocation effectively. Interpreting these metrics […]

CBRE Inks Billion-Dollar Deal to Acquire Facility Services Provider J&J Worldwide

By Joe Bebon, Editor Feb 5, 2024 Human Resources

Updated: Feb 5, 2024

CBRE Group Inc. has announced a definitive agreement to acquire J&J Worldwide Services—a provider of engineering services, base support operations, and facilities maintenance for the U.S. federal government—from private equity firm Arlington Capital Partners. CBRE, one of the world’s largest commercial real estate services and investment firms, said the deal will expand the Dallas-based company’s […]

Is Your Facility Prepared for the Next Big Freeze?

By Ted Cabaniss, QBE North America Feb 5, 2024 Maintenance and Operations

Updated: Feb 5, 2024

The 2022 holiday season across the Southern U.S. was disrupted by an Arctic blast on Dec. 24 that exploded across Georgia, Florida, Alabama, and Louisiana, delivering sub-freezing conditions that lasted for several consecutive days to a region where temperatures normally drop below 32°C for just a few hours. Old Man Winter came to visit and […]

Exterior LED Lighting Upgrade Takes Off at Milwaukee Airport

By Bob Tortorello, Optec LED Lighting Feb 2, 2024 Design and Construction

Updated: Feb 2, 2024

Energy use is a significant percentage of an airport’s operating costs—as much as 10-15% of these facilities’ entire operating budget. Upgrading to LED luminaires greatly reduces airports’ energy consumption because, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, they use up to 75% less energy than traditional luminaires. LED luminaires also reduce maintenance costs because they […]

AI Adoption Creates ‘Unprecedented Demand’ for Data Centers: JLL Report

By Joe Bebon, Editor Feb 1, 2024 Data Centers

Updated: Feb 1, 2024

As the global economy continues to rapidly adopt artificial intelligence (AI), infrastructure to support these systems must keep pace, according to a new report from JLL. Consumers and businesses are expected to generate twice as much data in the next five years as all the data created over the past 10 years. This growth presents […]

FEMA Expands Disaster Relief Funding to Include Net-Zero Energy Projects

By Joe Bebon, Editor Jan 31, 2024 Design and Construction

Updated: Jan 31, 2024

For the first time, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will fund net-zero energy projects through its Public Assistance grant program, which covers the rebuilding of schools, hospitals, fire stations, and other community infrastructure investments post-disaster. FEMA is also funding net-zero energy projects for its Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) and now offers incentives through its […]

Study: Geothermal Heat Pumps Represent Major Opportunity for U.S. Building Decarbonization

By Joe Bebon, Editor Jan 29, 2024 Design and Construction

Updated: Jan 29, 2024

A new analysis from Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) found that, coupled with building envelope improvements, installing geothermal heat pumps in around 70% of U.S. buildings could save as much as 593 terawatt-hours of electricity generation annually and avoid seven gigatons of carbon-equivalent emissions by 2050. “To put that in context, 593 terawatt-hours is about 15% […]

New York Offers $100 Million Under Clean Green Schools Initiative

By Joe Bebon, Editor Jan 25, 2024 Design and Construction

Updated: Jan 25, 2024

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced $100 million is now available through the Clean Green Schools Initiative. The funding will support under-resourced public schools with projects to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, improve environmental sustainability, and decarbonize school buildings. “Creating a safe and healthy learning environment is critical to providing our children the best education […]

11 Facilities Management Certifications to Consider for 2024

By Corey Sipe, Associate Editor Jan 24, 2024 Building Controls

Updated: Aug 14, 2024

As we entered 2024, many facilities professionals made New Year’s resolutions to boost their careers. Some will be going back to school to get a college degree in facilities management or a specialty such as sustainability or operations management. Others will be taking classes, or simply studying on their own, so they can gain the […]

Top 10 States for LEED Buildings in 2023

By Joe Bebon, Editor Jan 24, 2024 Design and Construction

Updated: Jan 24, 2024

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has released its annual list of U.S. states leading the way on green buildings, and New York topped the list for the first time during a record-breaking year in 2023. The USGBC ranking is based on Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)-certified gross square footage per capita over […]