Guide helps schools find funding for buildings from federal, state government

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.

New ideas in design and constructability are radically changing how metal systems are used as roofing for commercial and institutional buildings. Behind the investment in these new kinds of expressions and construction approaches is a growing interest in improved performance and reduced environmental impact. Metal roofing systems can cut cooling and heating loads significantly, according to the EPA.