The recently passed $1 trillion infrastructure bill, part of President Joe Biden’s Build Back Better plan, has about $5 billion set aside for a wide range of programs to boost energy efficiency in buildings.
The money is geared to reduce electricity use in buildings, improve the materials used to build them, and train people to design, build, and maintain energy-efficient buildings. The funds are crucial for accelerating innovation in deep energy retrofits and building electrification, which are critical steps to reducing carbon emissions, green advocates say.
The lion’s share of funding focused on buildings is a $3.5 billion injection into the weatherization assistance program. Geared to dwellings owned or occupied by people with low incomes, the program provides money to upgrade residences with better insulation, windows, roofing, and heating and cooling devices.
A $225 million grant program is being established to help understaffed and underfunded local governments upgrade building codes. In the long run, this provision may be one of the bill’s most impactful measures.
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Oct 31, 2019
FEMA, ICC release updated guide on integrating I-Codes into floodplain management regulations
Provides advice on satisfying requirements for the National Flood Insurance Program.
Codes and Standards | Oct 30, 2019
ILFI releases new version of Living Building Challenge Framework for Affordable Housing
Document includes updated findings, case studies, new strategies for financing, designing, building affordable housing.
Codes and Standards | Oct 28, 2019
U.S. military demands landlords address health hazards in troop housing
Air Force threatens formal dispute process.
Codes and Standards | Oct 24, 2019
ASHRAE design contest winners demonstrate building resilience
Model building, a city hall, could operate without utility service for two weeks.
Codes and Standards | Oct 22, 2019
Efficient material design, low-carbon concrete are critical to cutting GHG emissions in construction
Enhancing building utilization and reusing materials also aid carbon reduction.
Codes and Standards | Oct 21, 2019
Historic properties not exempt from Americans With Disabilities Act
Some exceptions do apply.
Codes and Standards | Oct 18, 2019
St. Louis could save $61 million per year in energy costs by improved building performance
GHG gases can be reduced by at least 11% with upgrades to public buildings and large private buildings.
Codes and Standards | Oct 17, 2019
Slow payments cost GCs and subs $64 billion annually
Study finds 51-day average payment turnaround.
Codes and Standards | Oct 16, 2019
Cool pavement can make people hotter
Reflective coatings channel sunlight raising temperatures where pedestrians walk.
Codes and Standards | Oct 15, 2019
Utah adopts 2018 International Energy Conservation Code
Provisions include increased building envelope performance and reduced air infiltration.