The $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill recently passed by the Senate includes hundreds of millions of dollars targeted for building energy efficiency.
The billions allocated in the bill include:
· $225 million for states to implement updated building energy codes and to train code officials and homebuilders to meet code
· $500 million for K-12 public schools and $50 million for nonprofits and churches to implement efficiency projects
· $550 million for the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program
· $250 million for Assisting Federal Facilities with Energy Conservation Technologies (AFFECT) grants
· $250 million to establish a state revolving loan fund for commercial and residential energy audits and $40 million for training auditors as part of the INSULATE Buildings Act
· $225 million for states to implement updated building energy codes and to train code officials and homebuilders to meet code
The bill also provides $100 million to accelerate deployment of digital construction technologies such as 3D modelling software and digital project management platforms. The bill heads to the House for approval before President Joe Biden can sign it into law.
Related Stories
| Nov 16, 2012
South Dakota prefers LEED over building code on state projects
“(LEED is) much better than a mandatory building code because you get a little wiggle room in these projects,” said Mike Mueller, a spokesman for the South Dakota Bureau of Administration.
| Nov 16, 2012
AAMA publishes quality assurance guidelines for Polyamide Thermal Barriers
The American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA) has published QAG-2-12, Voluntary Quality Assurance Processing Guide for Polyamide Thermal Barriers.
| Nov 16, 2012
New ANSI/BIFMA standards developed for educational seating
The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) has approved the newly developed safety and performance standard for educational seating: ANSI/BIFMA X6.1-2012—the first of its kind.
| Nov 16, 2012
Green building councils in 62 countries expect 60% of their work to be green by 2015
More than half of the respondents to a survey of members of the Green Building Council in 62 countries expect green projects to comprise 60% of their work by 2015.
| Nov 16, 2012
Voters approve fewer construction ballot measures in 2012 than in 2008
Voters passed fewer ballot measures related to construction projects this year than they did in 2008, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America.
| Nov 9, 2012
New ANSI/BIFMA standard adds point for lower formaldehyde emissions
The ANSI/BIFMA e3-2012 Furniture Sustainability Standard now includes an additional point for furniture products that meet a new, lower formaldehyde emissions limit.
