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A new Biden Administration rule bans the use of fossil fuels in new federal buildings beginning in 2030. The announcement came despite longstanding opposition to the rule by the natural gas industry.
The New York City Council is considering a proposed law with the goal of preventing building collapses. The Billingsley Structural Integrity Act is a response to the collapse of 1915 Billingsley Terrace in the Bronx last December.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency recently sent a letter to officials in Lee County, Florida alleging that hundreds of homes were rebuilt in violation of the agency’s rules following Hurricane Ian. The letter provoked a sharp backlash as homeowners struggle to rebuild following the devastating 2022 storm that destroyed a large swath of the county.
The Biden Administration recently released “Decarbonizing the U.S. Economy by 2050: A National Blueprint for the Buildings Sector,” a comprehensive plan to reduce greenhouse-gas (GHG) emissions from buildings by 65% by 2035 and 90% by 2050.
The guide summarizes provisions for the use of wood and wood products in the 2018 IBC.
The U.S. Green Building Council says that the LEED residential market has grown 19% since 2017. Nearly 500,000 single family, multifamily, and affordable housing units have been certified globally.
Improved safety, better adoption of electric scooters and autonomous vehicles are possible if drivers ease off the accelerator.
Payback ranges from five to 15 years.
Other states have no ban, but have strengthened building codes for tidal wave resilience.
Pop-up parks that provide instant open areas for public use and programming can revitalize under-utilized spaces and add vibrancy to neighborhoods.
The move follows successful public input on LEED 4.1.
Guidelines, common terminology, and testing methodology are needed, says expert.
American Concrete Institute offers guidance on assessment, repair, rehab of existing concrete structures.
The update adds credits to lower carbon footprints and to promote climate change resiliency.
