flexiblefullpage -
billboard - default
interstitial1 - interstitial
catfish1 - bottom
Currently Reading

Biden’s infrastructure proposal includes massive investment in school buildings

Codes and Standards

Biden’s infrastructure proposal includes massive investment in school buildings

‘Once in a lifetime opportunity’ to upgrade HVAC and other key systems.


By Peter Fabris, Contributing Editor | July 14, 2021

The Biden Administration’s proposed infrastructure spending plan is a rare chance for most school districts to make their buildings greener and cheaper to operate.

This is a ‘once in a lifetime opportunity’ to make major upgrades to public school facilities, according to an engineer specializing in green buildings. For example, an estimated 36,000 schools have ventilation systems in need of upgrades. Many of these systems use technology invented and designed in the 1970s, and they are far less than ideal from health and wellness perspectives. They also do not support aggressive carbon reduction and energy-efficiency goals.

The COVID-19 pandemic prompted a closer look at the physical condition of America’s classrooms. It may prompt the federal government to address the shortcomings.

The U.S. House of Representatives is considering the Reopen and Rebuild America’s Schools Act, which would make $130 billion in federal money available to schools in need of repair over the next decade. The lead sponsor says funding is badly needed because without it, school districts would be largely on their own to build and renovate buildings.

Related Stories

| Dec 1, 2011

Safety tracking tool helping prevent injuries at World Trade Center site

Since putting in place their Safety Management Systems Tracking Tool three years ago, risk managers for the World Trade Center project in New York say they've seen workplace injuries, reported hazards, and workers compensation claims decline.

| Dec 1, 2011

OSHA releases new construction safety videos

OSHA released new safety videos to offer both employers and workers brief, easy-to-understand education about construction safety.

| Dec 1, 2011

GSA Region 5 BIM standards could set national agenda in government contracting

Learning how the GSA wants to work with contractors using Building Information Models (BIM) will dramatically improve your odds of winning federal work.

| Nov 23, 2011

Fenestration council seeks committee members

The National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) is seeking members for a committee to pursue recognition of its ratings procedures from the American National Standard Institute (ANSI).

| Nov 23, 2011

Obama signs repeal of 3% withholding on government contracts

President Obama signed a bill that repeals a law requiring governments to withhold 3% of payments over $10,000 to contractors.

| Nov 23, 2011

USGBC launches app lab for LEED certification process

The U.S. Green Building Council has released the App Lab, a searchable catalog of third-party apps that are integrated with LEED data.

| Nov 23, 2011

Document gives advice on stormwater runoff management

The report, “Rooftops to Rivers II,” provides tips on how cities can use smart infrastructure and green building design to minimize pollution from stormwater runoff and other wastewaters.

| Nov 23, 2011

Zoning changes proposed to make New York City buildings greener

New York City will introduce new zoning proposals next month that would make it easier for building owners to add features that will make their properties more sustainable.

| Nov 18, 2011

AGC offers webinar on Davis-Bacon compliance

Webinar to be held in two sessions, Dec. 7 and 8 from 2:00-3:30 p.m. EST.

| Nov 18, 2011

New green construction code may help push LEED standards higher

The International Green Construction Code (IgCC) is expected to set a floor for building standards and may create the opportunity for LEED certifications to push toward higher ceilings.

boombox1 - default
boombox2 -
native1 -

More In Category




halfpage1 -

Most Popular Content

  1. 2021 Giants 400 Report
  2. Top 150 Architecture Firms for 2019
  3. 13 projects that represent the future of affordable housing
  4. Sagrada Familia completion date pushed back due to coronavirus
  5. Top 160 Architecture Firms 2021