The National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS) and New Buildings Institute (NBI) developed a new tool to help cities devise a framework for life-cycle energy policies and track their progress toward efficiency goals.
The free resource, Life-Cycle Energy Performance Framework for Cities, is useful to develop policies, programs, administrative resources, tools, and on-going funding sources to address the energy use of buildings. The web-based resource allows users to customize their own path to implement life-cycle-based energy policies and print out tracking reports based on their responses.
The top level, the organizational basis of the Framework, consists of four overarching categories: Leadership; Data, Analysis, and Applications; Mechanisms; and Ensuring Results. The categories are broken into components with a brief description of the policy action, and examples and links for more information.
Related Stories
BIM and Information Technology | Sep 7, 2016
Energy Star Portfolio Manager tool updated to factor in waste management
The costs and benefits of managing 29 types of waste are now included.
Wood | Sep 6, 2016
Atlanta suburb prohibits wood-framed construction for high rises
The new building code prevents any structure with more than three stories from being built from a CLT frame.
Codes and Standards | Sep 1, 2016
Overuse of air conditioning hurts office productivity
A study found temperatures in the low 70s reduce worker performance.
Regulations | Aug 31, 2016
FEMA wants to toughen flood regulation on projects using federal funds
The proposal ‘would essentially rewrite the current 100-year flood standard.’
Sustainability | Aug 30, 2016
New federal project plans must include climate impacts
Agencies must quantify the specific impacts when possible.
Green | Aug 29, 2016
Vancouver, B.C., to require zero emissions on new buildings by 2030
No net GHG emissions will be allowed.
Codes and Standards | Aug 25, 2016
Freddie Mac extends efforts to fund multifamily energy/water efficiency projects
The Multifamily Green Advantage targets existing buildings.
Codes | Aug 24, 2016
Weak building codes no match for recent natural disasters, say industry experts
The recent floods and wildfires in Alberta are being cited as proof.
Legislation | Aug 24, 2016
World Trade Center contractor found guilty of minority-owned business fraud
The company used two minority firms as fronts in a nearly $1 billion scheme.
Codes and Standards | Aug 22, 2016
Federal construction contractors propose reforms to federal project delivery
Industry leaders offer how procurement system could be improved.