Industry News

>>Utilities Spur Energy Data Access to Accelerate Building Energy Efficiency

Source: energy.gov
Through the Better Buildings Energy Data Accelerator (EDA), 18 utilities, including Residential Network members and HPwES Sponsors Austin Energy,Xcel Energy Minnesota,Puget Sound Energy, and Pepco, as well as Southern California Edison, will provide whole-building energy data access to building owners by 2017 to enable expanded building energy benchmarking. 

As a result of best practices developed by the EDA, the utilities partnered with cities to develop and implement whole-building data access solutions. Residential Network members the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) and the Institute for Market Transformation will continue to provide technical resources and work with regional and national stakeholders to develop improved data access strategies.

>>New SEE Action Network Guide Outlines Pathways to Energy Efficiency
Source: energy.gov
The State and Local Energy Efficiency Action Network (SEE Action) has a new resource out, "Guide for States: Energy Efficiency as a Least-Cost Strategy to Reduce Greenhouse Gases and Air Pollution, and Meet Energy Needs in the Power Sector," which presents case studies of successful regional, state, and local approaches to energy efficiency such as quick start and deep savings programs, public power programs, and low-income community engagement. 

>>A Call for Help: Promoting Mental Health in the Construction Industry
Source: agc.org
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the construction industry often lands among the top 10 industries at risk for suicide. Leaders in the industry are starting to take notice and changing the culture with a new vision and a set of best practices. Read more about this topic in Constructor magazine.

 

>>White House Releases Fact Sheet About Better Buildings Energy Data
Source: betterbuildingssolutioncenter.energy.gov
The White House with the Energy Department released a Fact Sheet, profiling how the actions of its Better Buildings Energy Data Accelerator partners led to a historic expansion of whole-building energy data access to building owners by 2017 – significantly increasing opportunities for building energy benchmarking. Also announced arenewpartnerships withcities, states, and companies, aimed atfinding new ways to utilize energy data and put it to work to create a cleaner, healthier, and more energy efficient America. Read the full White House Fact Sheet. Learn more about Energy Data Accelerator Partner Accomplishments and Results

>>Polyurea Training Programs Announced for April 2016
VersaFlex Inc.'s 2016 Polyurea University Training Schools programs were announced for April 2016. Courses are taught by Dudley J. Primeaux, II, PCS, CCI. The informational class work sessions include handouts containing slide presentations of PowerPoint shows dealing with every aspect of polyurea technology; from the chemistry to the practical application techniques best suited to spray and install polyurea systems. Classes are at the Houston campus.

April 25-29: Qualified Spray Applicator -- Register Online

>>Going Green Can Add Value to Your Home
Source: Washingtonpost.com
What is going "green" worth in Washington home real estate? If you rehab a house to exacting energy and environmental standards, or install a solar-panel array on your roof, does your house command more when you sell? If you seal up all the energy-leaking areas in your house, install a highly efficient heating and ventilating system, new windows and a long list of other green improvements, will a future buyer pay you a premium price for your efforts? A new study conducted by national appraisal experts says the answer most probably is yes — often tens of thousands of dollars more.

>>Top 10 Regulatory Concerns in the Construction Industry
Source: agc.org
See some of the federal rulemakings that are expected to have an impact on the construction industry in the near future.