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.
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| Apr 23, 2014
Obama’s 2015 budget includes $1.7 billion to GSA for building construction, renovations
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| Apr 18, 2014
Massachusetts Supreme Court clarifies building code liability issue on mixed-use projects
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| Apr 18, 2014
First international buildings among 700-plus certified by BOMA 360 Performance Program
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| Apr 16, 2014
OSHA proposes $2.3 million in fines against Olivet Management for exposing workers to asbestos and lead
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| Apr 10, 2014
Green Building Certification Institute partners with Well Building Institute on standard
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| Apr 10, 2014
OSHA’s construction safety advisory committee invites input on construction regulations
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ASTM’s International Standards in Building Codes now available in DVD and online
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