The Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) recently released a report to spur more environmentally friendly construction.
The AGC supports wide-ranging government investment and tax incentives to modernize public infrastructure, renovate federal buildings, and build new ones that conserve raw materials, reduce waste, and use less energy and water. AGC also supports expedited permitting for projects that will improve efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
AGC wants clients and architects to include contractors earlier in project development to address sustainable materials, recycling, and other environmental factors. The association also advocates increasing education and awareness on lifecycle and total ownership costs versus up-front, one-time costs to promote designs that will save more energy and water over time.
Increased training of construction workers would have multiple environmental benefits, AGC adds, and government could support this activity. Programs such as employer-neutral job training on technologies to support a decarbonized economy and in related fields such as environmental remediation or weatherization would advance environmental goals.
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Jun 7, 2019
Market conditions indicate slower growth in industrial real estate sector
E-commerce, market oversupply, rising interest rates to dampen hot market.
Codes and Standards | Jun 3, 2019
Haskell invests in BLOX, creator of modular-based delivery method
‘Represents important part of Haskell’s future strategy,’ says CEO.
Codes and Standards | Jun 3, 2019
Florida may eliminate certificate of need requirement for new hospitals
Bill could boost specialized facilities.
Codes and Standards | May 31, 2019
RELi 2.0 standard for sustainability, resilience being piloted
Will be open to LEED-registered or -certified projects, with introductory pricing and support.
Codes and Standards | May 31, 2019
Pankow Foundation releases report, tools for embodied carbon impacts
Focus is on MEP and tenant improvements.
Codes and Standards | May 24, 2019
USGBC receives funding for LEED for Cities and Communities Program
Bank of America provides $500,000 grant to certify 15 U.S. cities.
Codes and Standards | May 24, 2019
AIA updates Interiors Contract Documents
Six revised documents available for interior construction projects.
Codes and Standards | May 23, 2019
Northern California casino offers a template for resilient microgrids
Solar power with batteries and backup generators provide weeks of self-reliance.
Codes and Standards | May 23, 2019
Austin creates innovative plan to boost affordable housing
Approach includes loosened zoning, incentives for higher density in lower-cost and mixed-income developments.
Codes and Standards | May 20, 2019
Effort launched to develop better process for zero-carbon retrofits in multifamily sector
Rocky Mountain Institute, Dept. of Energy, California Energy Commission join forces.