Practical Facilities Tips, News & Advice.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael S. Regan announced a new pledge from electric utilities to support efforts to electrify the nation’s school bus fleet. Regan unveiled the pledge while visiting Wabaunsee USD 329 School District in Alma, Kansas, to celebrate the delivery of the state’s first all-electric school buses. He also highlighted federal […]
The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated how important it is to have a healthy work environment. The recent webinar “Healthy Building Strategies: Putting Sustainability and People First,” sponsored by biosafety technology company R-Zero, featured three facilities management professionals who explained what healthy buildings are and what can be done to make buildings more healthy. Healthy buildings […]
Back to Basics is an article series that highlights important, but possibly overlooked, information facilities management professionals should know. Facilities professionals seeking to renovate older buildings should do their due diligence to determine if their buildings have lead paint. Why Lead Paint Is Dangerous The dangers of lead-based paint (LBP) caused the federal government to […]
In August, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) received $5 million from Congress under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) for programs to boost voluntary corporate climate reporting while the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) ramps up for legal battles regarding its upcoming mandatory climate change reporting rules. To report or not to report Many […]
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced 26 Safer Choice Partner of the Year award winners across 14 states and the District of Columbia, recognizing their achievements in the design, manufacture, selection, and use of products with safer chemicals. The Safer Choice program helps consumers and purchasers for facilities, such as schools and office […]
Facilities professionals know what a problem pests can be for the commercial properties they manage. To control pests, which could affect the cleanliness, appearance, and safety of facilities, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends that professionals implement an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program, an environmentally friendly and commonsense approach that could apply to any […]
On Aug. 16, President Joe Biden signed into law the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA), a comprehensive package that includes nearly $370 billion in historic climate and energy investments. “The Inflation Reduction Act invests $369 billion to take the most aggressive action ever—ever, ever, ever—in confronting the climate crisis,” said Biden. U.S. Environmental Protection […]
As a new academic year begins, the Biden administration has issued a back-to-school fact sheet highlighting guidance and resources available to help protect students and staff from COVID-19 spread and keep schools safely open all year long. The fact sheet calls for vaccination, testing, and improved indoor air quality. It also notes actions the administration […]
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced its annual “Top Cities” list, spotlighting the cities with the greatest number of ENERGY STAR certified commercial and multifamily buildings in 2021. Los Angeles leads with nearly 650 ENERGY STAR certified buildings. Close behind is Washington, D.C., with nearly 500 buildings, followed by Atlanta in third place. […]
Based on inspections over the last several years, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has found many chemical storage and distribution facilities “are not developing safety precautions; instituting maintenance, monitoring, and employee training measures; and preparing risk management plans to remain in compliance with Clean Air Act (CAA) and Emergency Planning and Community Right to […]