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
| Sep 7, 2012
Lorain, Ohio considers halting downtown construction while it works out development plan
Construction would stop downtown for six months while Lorain, Ohio officials consider a development plan for the city, according to new legislation.
| Sep 7, 2012
Business, labor groups push for easing of California’s Environmental Quality Act
Business and labor groups have combined forces to push for a change to California's Environmental Quality Act, specifically its complex review process for building and construction projects.
| Sep 7, 2012
Twenty years later, Florida contractors cite Hurricane Andrew as construction game-changer
Remarking on the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Andrew, which devastated south Florida; contractors are noting the storm’s impact on their industry—including the state’s adoption of tougher building codes.
| Sep 7, 2012
At risk for nine types of natural disasters, Texas trails most coastal states on building codes
Texas has the most diverse weather risk in the country, with exposure to nine different types of natural disasters.
| Aug 30, 2012
OSHA plans new crane-safety standards for demolition and underground work
The new rule will streamline OSHA’s standards by eliminating the separate cranes and derricks standard currently used for underground and demolition work.
| Aug 30, 2012
Federal government cancels defense contracts worth $2.15 billion
This action may foreshadow federal spending cuts scheduled for year's end if Congress takes no action on the federal budget.
| Aug 30, 2012
Public comment period is open for CRRC-1 standard
The CRRC-1 standard covers specimen preparation and test methods for measuring the initial and aged solar reflectance and thermal emittance of roofing products.
| Aug 30, 2012
LEED system's footprint reaches 2 billion sf, with 7 billion sf in the pipeline
About 7 billion more sf of commercial space is expected in the pipeline.
| Aug 30, 2012
Georgia drops LEED wood source standard on state projects
Currently, LEED green building standards only accept timber products certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).
| Aug 21, 2012
AGC offers second edition of the Federal Government Contractor: Ethics & Compliance Programs manual
This publication helps contractors appreciate the grounds for an alleged violation of the expected standards of business conduct and ethics, and to develop, implement, and document an effective ethics and compliance program.