Practical Facilities Tips, News & Advice.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has opened applications for the 2024 Renew America’s Schools Prize, which will award $180 million for clean energy upgrades at public K-12 schools to lower costs and improve indoor air quality. Funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, this new round of funding builds on $178 million in grants awarded […]
These days, it seems everyone is exploring the potential of AI—even our government. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced its first “Artificial Intelligence Roadmap” and three pilot projects that will deploy AI in specific mission areas. The announcement follows President Joe Biden’s 2023 executive order directing the federal government to help advance […]
It’s hard for a resource-strapped business to watch a once-eager new hire walk out the door. Yet, despite knowing the familiar pain of employee turnover all too well, most businesses consistently report ongoing challenges related to the training and retention of maintenance teams. To combat turnover of top performers, many companies strategically invest in training […]
The University of Tennessee Southern has been awarded over $4 million by the state, part of a larger $6 million allocation to the University of Tennessee System for one-time investments aimed at enhancing safety and security across UT Southern’s main and east campuses in Pulaski, Tenn. This funding initiative comes in the wake of a […]
In the dynamic world of facilities management, where the challenge lies in maintaining peak operational conditions amidst budget constraints, the adage “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” becomes more than just a saying—it’s a necessity. As organizations strive for efficiency with limited resources, embracing a robust preventive maintenance program emerges as […]
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recognized 103 U.S. manufacturing plants that earned the agency’s ENERGY STAR certification in 2023, a designation reserved for manufacturing plants in the top 25% of energy efficiency in their sector. Together, these facilities prevented more than 8 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions, equivalent to the emissions from […]
Which clean energy technologies will help fuel a more sustainable future? Researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) are hard at work to answer that question. Meanwhile, Caroline Kelley, a senior facilities manager at NREL, is dedicated to providing the scientists with a safe and well-maintained work environment. Based in […]
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced $425 million in funding to help reduce industrial emissions and advance clean energy manufacturing in coal communities across the country. Funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) and managed by the Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains (MESC), the Advanced Manufacturing and Recycling Grant Program will support small […]
Clean environments play a pivotal role in enhancing the performance and well-being of building occupants. The connection between cleanliness and human health and productivity has been extensively studied and validated. This article delves into the various ways in which clean environments positively influence the performance of employees in the workplace, encompassing both physical and psychological […]
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced the approval of 59 Smart Schools Investment Plans focused on reimagining education in an evolving age and boosting school security. The approved plans, totaling $27 million, are part of the $2 billion Smart Schools Bond Act, a sweeping education technology program established in 2014. Hochul said, “These investments not […]