A press release and fact sheet about the accomplishments of the Obama Administration's "Better Building Initiative" includes three new national programs designed to improve the efficiency and resilience of the built environment.
The White House put out a fact sheet and press release announcing the accomplishments of the Better Building Initiative—designed to partner the Department of Energy "with leading organizations in every state across the country to drive increased investment in energy efficiency and overcome the barriers that prevent many organizations and consumers from capturing these benefits."
According to the fact sheet, there are now more than 750 organizations engaged in the Better Buildings Initiative, with partnerships and energy savings more than tripling over than past five years.
The fact sheet also announces new partnerships and progress updates on behalf of U.S. Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz and the U.S. Secretary for Housing and Urban Development Julián Castro, including three new programs in collaboration with all 50 states, 17 new examples of businesses, states, and cities achieving Better Building challenge goals, and additional energy savings accomplishments.
The three aforementioned programs include the Clean Energy in Low Income Communities Accelerator, the Combined Heat and Power for Resiliency Accelerator, and the Wastewater Infrastructure Accelerator.
Energy Department Resumes Loan Program with Hydrogen Storage
The Energy Department's loan office, known for a bad loan to the solar panel startup Solyndra in 2011, will loan $504 million to a company that will use renewable energy to create 'green hydrogen' and store it in salt caverns in Utah.
'Green' Houses Come Up Well Short in Phoenix
City inspectors and federal regulators will not be favorably portrayed in this story.
Even Older Buildings Are More Energy Efficient Than Ever
An analysis of trends in energy-efficiency improvements reveals the success of policies enacted during the previous decades.
National Parks Layoffs Will Cause Communities to Lose Billions
Thousands of essential park workers were laid off this week, just before the busy spring break season.
Retro-silient?: America’s First “Eco-burb,” The Woodlands Turns 50
A master-planned community north of Houston offers lessons on green infrastructure and resilient design, but falls short of its founder’s lofty affordability and walkability goals.
Delivering for America Plan Will Downgrade Mail Service in at Least 49.5 Percent of Zip Codes
Republican and Democrat lawmakers criticize the plan for its disproportionate negative impact on rural communities.
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Balancing Bombs and Butterflies: How the National Guard Protects a Rare Species
The National Guard at Fort Indiantown Gap uses GIS technology and land management strategies to balance military training with conservation efforts, ensuring the survival of the rare eastern regal fritillary butterfly.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
EMC Planning Group, Inc.
Planetizen
Planetizen
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service