New Buildings Institute (NBI) recently released a guide to help schools identify funding programs for facilities improvements available from federal and state government programs.
“The Decarbonization Roadmap Guide for School Building Decision Makers and accompanying toolbox of resources can help districts leverage these funding opportunities to develop a district decarbonization roadmap to identify cost-effective strategies and approaches to achieve net zero carbon and other greenhouse gas emission reductions across a portfolio of buildings,” according to an NBI news release. The document provides key elements for creating a roadmap, outlining goals and approaches to consider when building lifecycle events occur.
The guide was developed during the inaugural Getting to Zero Over Time in California Schools cohort, facilitated by NBI and the California Division of the State Architect’s Sustainability Education & Outreach Program. “Efforts like this will springboard and showcase the leadership of the school sector working towards achieving the California state goal of economy-wide decarbonization by mid-century,” said Ida Clair, California State Architect.
Funding opportunities are part of the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants. These programs, as well as federal financial support for state energy offices and the Federal Emergency Management Agency, will provide schools with financial support to bring buildings and district portfolios up to modern standards and provide resilient community spaces.
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | May 25, 2021
International Energy Agency lays out roadmap to net zero
Focus is on energy generation, but building efficiency also plays a role.
Codes and Standards | May 24, 2021
Biden Administration will make new investments in building energy efficiency
Focus on grid-interactive buildings; Energy Star expansion; new targets for energy, water reduction.
Codes and Standards | May 20, 2021
Solar panel trade group issues guidelines to rid use of components built with forced labor
Growing concern that PV industry is dependent on work camps in China.
Codes and Standards | May 19, 2021
Smart electric panels can aid transition to renewable energy
Allow customers better control of circuits; utilities can better manage demand.
Codes and Standards | May 18, 2021
Cross-laminated timber performs better than expected in shear test
Tests conducted in support of new criteria for design of CLT diaphragm.
Codes and Standards | May 17, 2021
Latest Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices criticized for not considering bikes, pedestrians
More than a dozen advocacy groups want feds to start over.
Codes and Standards | May 13, 2021
LEED-certified federal buildings don’t use less energy than average
May be due to trade-offs on how score is developed.
Codes and Standards | May 12, 2021
White paper examines how to reduce pathogen transmission in ventilation
Pressure barriers and airflow distribution can be effective in existing buildings.
Codes and Standards | May 11, 2021
Pressure builds on White House to rein in cost of lumber
Spike in prices has added nearly $36,000 to price of average new home.
Codes and Standards | May 11, 2021
Residential codes should be upgraded to protect from cooking pollutants
Report examines ventilation standards, calls for increased public awareness of issue.
