Using an automatic interconnection switch to manage energy costs

The device gives facilities managers the ability to move between the grid and an on-site source based on energy use rates, a renewable power specialist says.

NYC building owners still have time to file LL97 extensions

The city implemented a 60-day grace period for reporting annual energy and water use or for seeking an extension until August. Separately, a lawsuit against the regulation was dismissed.

NYC power bills going up this summer, ConEd warns

The increases come amid a national rise in electricity prices and rapidly growing demand. Consolidated Edison has spent about $2.35 billion on its distribution system since last summer.

42% of Gen Z workers say they’re turning to blue-collar roles for security

Regardless of education level, workers said they’re choosing blue-collar work for better long-term prospects, higher pay and a lower risk of being replaced by AI.

R-32 touted as A2L-compliant refrigerant while R-454B shortage persists

Daikin, Amana and Goodman are among the HVAC manufacturers whose systems are compatible with R-32 refrigerants. 

Indoor air quality even more important in early childhood: Harvard

IAQ has powerful effects on babies and young children. Research suggests operators of childcare facilities, schools and community centers should place more emphasis on improving indoor environments.

The new steam technology heating up hotel meals

Switzerland-based Kitchenless uses steam technology to quickly prepare meals from easily storable frozen packages. Following the successful implementation of its tech in Europe, the company launched in the U.S. this year. 

Smart building controls are key to addressing aging infrastructure, workforce: Trane

As the U.S. building stock ages and experienced technicians exit the workforce, facility managers must embrace building modernization, according to a report.

BP Pulse is bringing EV chargers to Waffle House

Chosen sites in the Southeast and the Sunbelt will get six electric vehicle charging bays, with the first locations coming online next year.

Building sector needs all hands on deck to meet Washington’s 2050 emissions goal: reports

To substantially decarbonize buildings by 2050, building owners must swap virtually all end-of-life fossil fuel appliances for zero-emissions alternatives after 2030, the Clean Energy Transition Institute and 2050 Institute said.

‘Everywhere is a workplace’: JLL leaders say office operators need to adapt

Commercial real estate operators should create dynamic environments to draw workers back to the office, the company says.

Energy service performance contracts aren’t just for public facilities

Private facilities can use them, too, if the property doesn’t have tenants or if the owner is responsible for energy use, says an advocate for energy service companies.

Denka cites emissions compliance costs for closing production facilities

The cost of keeping the LaPlace site emissions-compliant led to an “extraordinary loss” of 16.1 billion yen for the Japan-based manufacturer.

Among those in skilled trades, high hopes for a renewed focus on apprenticeships

A push by the Trump administration to put more money into hands-on training is seen as a good start to addressing a longstanding, bipartisan concern: the persistent labor shortage in skilled trades. 

Energy savings start with benchmarking, team-led audits, expert says

By educating staff on how small changes and regular maintenance to systems can impact energy, facility teams can improve efficiency without costly upgrades, according to a sustainability director at ESFM.

Updated May 22, 2025

Republican budget squeezes out of House committee, but deeper IRA cuts could come

Deficit hawks voted to advance the legislation for now but said they negotiated for more cuts to clean energy incentives.

Multi-site property management tools come to market

Ecotrak launched a computerized maintenance management system for small businesses at $25 per month per location, while Mallcomm rebranded as Kinexio in the U.S. and launched an AI-driven platform.

Company touts new generation of UVC light to kill pathogens in occupied rooms

By using light on a shorter wavelength, the ultraviolet C bulbs can eliminate pathogens without penetrating skin and eyes, says Lit Thinking CEO John Rajchert.  

Big verdicts in premises liability cases put spotlight on facilities managers

Verdicts in the tens of millions of dollars are increasingly common in cases involving organizations’ physical spaces, and the trend is likely to persist, a risk manager says.

NYC leads return-to-office as hybrid work increases: Trial Balance

Placer.ai’s April 2025 Office Index shows continued recovery in office foot traffic, with New York City leading the rebound.

Penn State University proposes closing 7 commonwealth campuses

To continue operating, the campuses would require $200 million investment in facilities — "resources that could be redirected to enhance and strengthen the campuses that remain," a report says. 

Archibus FedRAMP designation underscores new occupancy tracking focus of federal agencies

The fast-tracked authorization of this and another workplace management tool suggests the federal government is serious about matching its real estate to its needs.  

Updated May 20, 2025

How states are thinking about organic waste policy

Facilities could be subject to bills in dozens of state legislatures that are trying to reduce the environmental impact of food waste.  

‘Rogue’ communication devices found on Chinese-made power inverters

The issue could be important to facilities managers if they oversee on-site solar arrays or battery storage systems, with Chinese-made inverters on them, to provide energy resilience or to send supplemental power to the grid to reduce costs. 

California bill would expand school districts’ cost recovery options for facility rentals

AB 503 would restore an expanded definition of “direct costs” eligible for recovery through facility rental fees, which could help shore up district finances as public education budgets tighten.