The Latest

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  Washington hopes to advance clean building standards implementation with nearly $8M DOE grant

  The Building Efficiency and Clean Operations Network project aims to train at least 60 fellows to provide energy services to building owners and operators.

  Sustainability

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  30 neighborhood-scale building decarbonization pilots allowed under bill passed in California

  The bill, if signed into law by the governor, would authorize up to 30 of these pilot projects statewide. At least two-thirds of affected property owners would need to consent to a pilot project for it to move ahead.

  Sustainability

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  GSA properties found to have nearly 36,000 safety, fire, health risk conditions

  As of November, over 5,000 open risk conditions had not been addressed or did not have an action plan in place within the 30-day period required by OSHA regulations, per an audit memo from the Office of Inspector General. 

  Property Management

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  ServiceTitan, Ferguson launch effort to help contractors navigate supply chain volatility

  Providing contractors with real-time pricing will ensure accurate job quotes, streamlined purchase order submissions and more reliable delivery timelines, the companies say. 

  Technology

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  OSHA sets late December comment deadline for extreme heat standard

  The agency’s proposed rule would require employers to develop heat injury and illness prevention plans, among other actions.

  Compliance

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  DOE opens application window for sustainable schools training program

  The Energy CLASS program seeks to train local educational agencies with training on funding and implementing energy management projects, the Energy Department says.

  Sustainability

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  L2L adds job aid technology to enhance maintenance standards, training, compliance

  The SwipeGuide acquisition can accelerate training for new hires and help facilities managers create standards for maintenance tasks where they may not have existed before, an executive at L2L said. 

  Technology

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  9,500 hotel workers end strikes, noting no progress on negotiations

  As of Wednesday, only San Diego hotel workers remained on strike, but further disruptions could occur as labor disputes linger at Marriott, Hilton and Hyatt hotels across the country.

  Labor

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  UAW workers, Cornell University pen labor agreement, end strike

  The new four-year contract, which applies to over 1,200 workers, eliminates a two-tier wage system and secures wage increases of up to 25.4%, according to the UAW.

  Labor

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  LiquidStack makes high-performance coolant system available for advanced data centers

  The new coolant distribution unit is compatible with liquid chip cooling in AI and high-performance computing applications and consumes less water and energy, the company says.

  Technology

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  Meta procures geothermal power for data centers

  The agreement will provide Meta with up to 150 megawatts of renewable energy from Sage Geosystems’ installations.

  Sustainability

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  Honeywell, Cisco integrate AI, real-time data on building energy efficiency, utilization

  Adding Cisco Spaces data to Honeywell’s Forge Sustainability+ for Buildings will provide insights into HVAC, lighting and other building systems, the companies say.

  Technology

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  Colocation data center market balloons as operators face labor woes: JLL

  Increased power demand has “noticeably accelerated” colocation rent increases in the past year as vacancy rates approach 0%, according to a midyear data center report.

  Development

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  10,000 hotel workers are on strike across the country

  Workers at hotel properties across the U.S. walked off their jobs over Labor Day weekend, with a Hyatt Regency Greenwich room attendant expressing a need for fewer rooms to clean, more affordable health insurance and more pay.

  Labor

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  Envoy, Logitech introduce meeting room management integration

  The resulting workplace system can help optimize space management, reducing the administrative burden of managing meeting spaces, the companies say.

  Technology

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  Hybrid work patterns, vacancy concerns push office utilization efforts

  As organizations report plans to shake up their real estate portfolios, the flight to quality spurs interest in space planning, amenities and hybrid work technologies.

  Property Management

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  Bringing energy optimization to mid-market hotels

  Previously only available to luxury and full-service properties, Honeywell’s energy automation tech can now help hotel operators in select-service segments reduce their carbon footprint.

  Sustainability

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  Over $12M allocated for energy efficiency, clean energy projects in eighth round of DOE awards

  The 35 grantees announced Wednesday will use the funds for projects that include conducting energy assessments and installing EV charging stations, the U.S. Department of Energy said.

  Sustainability

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  JLL calls for action on ESG reporting mandates, in-use emissions tracking, climate resilience

  Despite a shift to more performance-based building requirements in New York and other locations, sustainability metrics continue to lag in less transparent markets, according to a report.

  Sustainability

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  How Boston University manages the disposal chaos of move-out season

  Partnerships with Casella, Goodwill and Helpsy are part of ongoing efforts to rethink waste systems as the university’s physical footprint continues to grow.

  Sustainability

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  Orange County Public Schools deploys Facilitron CMMS as part of expanded partnership

  Facilitron Works will improve the coordination of maintenance tasks across the 900-square-mile district, Facilitron says.

  Technology

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  State, local building energy codes get makeovers with over $240M from US DOE

  Many of the selected cities will use the funds to develop and implement building performance standards, which require existing buildings to cut their greenhouse gas emissions and energy use over time.

  Sustainability

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  How contractors can guard against wage theft on their jobsites

  General contractors need to thoroughly vet subcontractors, use careful contract language and lean on labor partnerships to limit their risk, attorneys say.

  Labor

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  Chicago baseball stadium adds 11 free period product dispensers

  Facilities managers should view menstrual hygiene products as a budgetary line item akin to other restroom supplies, the Chicago White Sox’s senior director of park operations said.

  Health & Safety

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  Hotel workers in Hawaii, California, Seattle authorize strikes

  A smattering of local hospitality unions has approved walkouts in recent days as the threat of nationwide strikes continues to loom.

  Labor

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