Practical Facilities Tips, News & Advice.
The future is even brighter at Howard University in Washington, D.C., now that solar photovoltaic systems are installed on six campus buildings. Led by Volt Energy and partially financed by U.S. Bancorp Impact Finance, the solar systems are roof-mounted on the Blackburn Center, Burr Gymnasium, Locke Hall, School of Business, and School of Engineering buildings, […]
The National Football League’s (NFL) Philadelphia Eagles announced that its home stadium, Lincoln Financial Field, has been certified as a LEED Platinum building for its commitment to operational sustainability. LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is a globally recognized standard developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). Lincoln Financial Field is one of only […]
The proliferation of technology is here to stay—and not just in the classroom. More and more K-12 schools around the country are embedding technology into their buildings, from smart HVAC systems that optimize energy usage to automated security protocols for student safety. This transition isn’t just about embracing the latest gadgets. It’s about fundamentally reshaping […]
After receiving public input, the Biden administration has revealed the highly anticipated, finalized version of its National Definition of a Zero Emissions Building. According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), the standardized definition will help advance industry efforts to decarbonize the buildings sector, which is responsible for more than one-third of total U.S. greenhouse gas […]
Editor’s note: FM Perspectives are industry op-eds. The views expressed are the authors’ and do not necessarily reflect those of Facilities Management Advisor. Even those who aren’t regular consumers of energy industry news have likely come across a news report focused on how (and why) the American power grid is evolving. In the U.S., we have a […]
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) revealed its annual “Top Cities” list, spotlighting the cities with the greatest number of ENERGY STAR-certified commercial and multifamily buildings in 2023. Los Angeles leads the pack, with 876 ENERGY STAR-certified buildings. In second place is Washington, D.C., with 631 buildings, followed by New York in third place (390 […]
The University of Richmond’s Eco-Corridor, an 18-acre restoration, was an old road, previously ignored, a “place of possibility,” said Rob Andrejewski, the university’s director of sustainability. Opened in 2020, the project includes an extensive stream restoration, the planting of 25,000 grasses, shrubs, and trees, invasive species removal, new trails, plus picnic tables, a learning lab, […]
Did you know buildings account for a whopping 37% of all carbon emissions in the world? In order to combat climate change, countries have set a global goal to reach net-zero emissions by 2050, and in order to help save money and the planet, corporations and other organizations have set sustainability targets of their own. […]
Editor’s note: FM Perspectives are industry op-eds. The views expressed are the authors’ and do not necessarily reflect those of Facilities Management Advisor. As climate risk grows, so does the urgency around sustainability. 2023 was a year of record-breaking climate events, from sustained warming above 1.5°C to billion-dollar climate loss events. It was also a year marked […]
The U.S. Department of Education revealed the 2024 Green Ribbon Schools, District Sustainability Awardees, and Postsecondary Sustainability Awardees. The announcement came as the White House hosted the first-ever Summit for Sustainable and Healthy K-12 School Buildings and Grounds. Across the country, 41 schools, 10 districts, three postsecondary institutions, and one early learning center are being […]