Johnson Controls buys FM:Systems to expand digital building capabilities

The $455 million acquisition is expected to strengthen Johnson Controls’ OpenBlue platform and ramp up its net-zero building capabilities with workplace management software.

By Joe Burns • July 18, 2023

Department of Energy awards ASHRAE $2.85M building code training grant

The initiative is expected to save four partner states more than $18.5 million by providing officials training to boost compliance with building energy codes.

By Joe Burns • July 17, 2023

Explore the Trendline➔

Leveraging energy efficiency to create asset value

By optimizing building and systems efficiency, facilities managers can move beyond saving money to become value creators.  

By Facilities Dive staff

JPMorgan transforms 27-year-old Polaris facility in Ohio into a smart building

The 2-million-square-foot building’s renovations involved installing almost 40,000 rooftop and carport solar modules, and will help achieve a 40% decarbonization target by 2030.

By Nish Amarnath • July 17, 2023

DOE awards $90M for greener building energy codes

The Energy Department says modernizing energy codes is one of the most cost-effective routes to improved energy efficiency in buildings and increased resilience to climate risk.

By Ysabelle Kempe • July 17, 2023

Poppy releases air tracer system to help buildings meet new ASHRAE standard

The company’s BreatheScore Certify product measures the effectiveness of building ventilation within 20 minutes and provides data on compliance with ASHRAE Standard 241, Control of Infectious Aerosols.

By Joe Burns • July 14, 2023

Northampton mulls adoption of energy efficient opt-in stretch code

The Massachusetts city is weighing the pros and cons of embracing a specialized stretch energy code to dissuade fossil fuel use in new building construction.

By Nish Amarnath • July 13, 2023

Fidelity Building Services snaps up ESC to meet sustainability demand

The acquisition will become part of Fidelity Energy & Sustainability, guiding its foray into the thriving New England energy market.

By Nish Amarnath • July 13, 2023

Financial woes prompt resistance to building code updates

Misgivings about expenses are fueling dissent against new building codes, which seek to aggressively curb emissions and fossil fuel consumption.

By Nish Amarnath • July 12, 2023

GSA selects nZero to track carbon emissions across its federal building portfolio

The company will provide real-time carbon management and accounting to help the federal government test novel and historical sustainability-focused building technologies.

By Joe Burns • July 12, 2023

US Green Building Council seeks votes on LEED update through open ballot

While USGBC committees develop LEED v5, the ballot for the LEED v4 energy update, open through August 10, is set for release in January 2024.

By Nish Amarnath • July 12, 2023

Colorado Clean Energy Fund launches low-interest financing for commercial LED upgrades

The 3.45% interest rate financing, part of a partnership with the National Energy Improvement Fund, aims to entice commercial entities to upgrade their lighting systems.

By Joe Burns • July 11, 2023

Choice Hotels on how sustainable practices can help hotels cut costs, drive revenue

The hotel brand has set a goal to roll out an automated utility tracking dashboard to 100% of its managed and owned hotels and 90% of its franchised hotels by 2025.

By Jenna Graber • July 11, 2023

LaGuardia taps Leviton to update Terminal B facilities

Airport officials are working with lighting manufacturer Leviton to upgrade LaGuardia’s Terminal B facilities to keep up with passenger demand and energy code requirements.

By Nish Amarnath • July 11, 2023

USPS facility closures disrupt mail services across multiple states

Amid climate risks, safety concerns and building renovations, the U.S. Postal Service’s suspensions in Alaska, Washington, Rhode Island and Ohio come on the heels of closures across seven states in June.

By Nish Amarnath • July 10, 2023

Optimum Energy and Tignis join forces for embedded smart building HVAC solution

The multi-year partnership will leverage AI to help identify operational anomalies, potentially resulting in more efficient energy use in manufacturing processes and smart buildings.

By Joe Burns • July 10, 2023

From power to pharma, companies need better carbon emissions reporting

The key to progress is interoperability, or the ability to compare, share and use information across greenhouse gas accounting and reporting systems.

By Liv Watson and Marian Van Pelt • July 10, 2023

Emcor bolsters energy efficiency operations with ECM acquisition

The transaction brings specialized retrofit services and $60 million in estimated 2023 revenue to the engineering and construction company.

By Joe Burns • July 7, 2023

Scottsdale, Arizona greenlights commercial green code for new builds, renovations

Scottsdale is the state’s first city to implement an amended edition of the 2021 International Green Construction Code.

By Nish Amarnath • July 7, 2023

JLL leans into collaborative owner, tenant relationships to decarbonize office portfolio

The firm’s sustainability report found that due diligence was vital to gathering usage data, driving building sustainability efforts and earning green certifications.

By Joe Burns • July 6, 2023

Wellness features in industrial facilities could boost retention rates, report says

A study issued by KSS and NAIOP provided recommendations to improve employee safety and comfort, including improved ventilation and access to green spaces. 

By Joe Burns • July 5, 2023

Cambridge, Massachusetts, becomes first US city to require net zero emissions

The city has advanced its emissions reduction goal for large buildings by 15 years in an aggressive bid to ward off the worst impacts of climate change. 

By Nish Amarnath • July 5, 2023

DSD Renewables to install solar carports in Rutgers’ parking lots

The sustainability initiative is expected to accelerate the New Jersey university’s climate action goals of net-zero by 2040.

By Nish Amarnath • June 30, 2023

EPA launches $7B program to fund solar development in low-income communities

EPA administrator Michael Regan said that this historic boost in solar investments will advance millions of solar projects nationwide, generate cost savings, and create well-paying jobs amid efforts to advance toward sustainability goals.

By Ethan Howland • June 30, 2023

Brookfield to power US office space with zero emissions electricity by 2026

The office asset management company is expected to slash total direct carbon emissions by around 80%.

By Nish Amarnath • June 29, 2023

Hawai’i looks to tackle equity considerations of siting energy infrastructure as part of new docket

The state has some of the highest electricity rates in the country, and regulators opened a docket in December focused on ensuring more equity in its energy landscape. 

By Kavya Balaraman • June 28, 2023