Yearly Archives: 2017
Trump’s Water Infrastructure Plans in Two Words: Higher Rates
As President Trump prepares to promote his plans to privatize much of our nation’s infrastructure, Food & Water Watch is urging Congress to approve only plans that would keep these critical systems publicly controlled. Private financing and operation of infrastructure, particularly water, has been shown to be more expensive and less reliable than when these systems are controlled by public entities.
Making A Lasting Difference: Twenty-Five Extraordinary Developments From Around the World Are Finalists for...
Twenty-five extraordinary developments from around the world have been selected as finalists for the Urban Land Institute’s (ULI) 2017 Global Awards for Excellence, which is widely recognized as one of the land use industry’s most prestigious award programs. This year’s finalists include three located in Asia, two in Europe, and 20 in North America.
Homeownership Remains Key Part of American Dream; Obstacles Persist for Many
As the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) celebrates National Homeownership Month in June, more than two-thirds of Americans believe that owning a home is an essential part of the American Dream.
One AWWA Operator Scholarship Fund auction launches today
The Water Equation, the fundraising program of the American Water Works Association (AWWA), today launched its first-ever online auction to raise funds for the One AWWA Operator Scholarship Fund. The online auction will run through June 21.
Civil and Human Rights Coalition Underwhelmed by Trump’s Infrastructure ‘Plan’
Vanita Gupta, president and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, issued the following statement on President Trump’s infrastructure plan: “Trump’s infrastructure proposal fails to live up to his lofty campaign rhetoric. Instead of offering a solid plan that would create good jobs, directly invest in our nation’s decaying infrastructure, and target investment to the areas that need it the most, Trump’s infrastructure ‘plan’ focuses on putting public assets into private hands, creating yet another giveaway to wealthy corporations and millionaires at the expense of working families and communities.
Realtor® Volunteering Works Program Announces 2017 Mentoring and Grant Recipients
REALTOR® Magazine and the Good Neighbor Society have announced the recipients of the ninth annual Volunteering Works grants and mentoring program, which matches Realtors ® who work on small-scale charitable efforts with mentors and awards them grant money.
HUD DESIGNATES JUNE AS NATIONAL HEALTHY HOMES MONTH
In an effort to help families keep their kids healthy and to reinforce the connection between a family's health and their home, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is kicking off the second annual National Healthy Homes Month. Throughout the month, the goal is to raise awareness for what makes a home healthy, and to strengthen coordination and collaboration between housing and health at the federal, state and local levels
Solar Industry Urges Nevada Governor to Sign Bill Supporting Solar Jobs and Homeowners in...
The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) issued a statement on the Nevada Legislature’s passing of a bill that re-opens the residential solar market in the state, which had been all but frozen since a 2015 regulatory decision. The bill (AB 405) would reinstate the Net Energy Metering mechanism, but with a discounted rate for customer-generated power that is exported to the grid.
The Modular Building Institute and International Code Council Come Together to Accelerate Modular and...
The Modular Building Institute (MBI) and the International Code Council (ICC) are the driving force behind efforts to accelerate the use of modular construction and eliminate barriers in the industry by developing a series of modular-themed guidelines and resources for code officials.
HUD Secretary Ben Carson to Headline ABC’s Diversity & Inclusion Summit
Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) today announced that Dr. Ben Carson, secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, will deliver the keynote address at its annual Diversity & Inclusion Summit, June 19-20 in Washington, D.C. The summit is part of ABC Legislative Week, which also features legal and legislative updates, meetings with lawmakers and political advocacy sessions for ABC Young Professionals.
CONSTRUCTION EMPLOYMENT INCREASES BY 11,000 IN MAY TO EIGHT-YEAR HIGH BUT LABOR SHORTAGES LIKELY...
Construction employment increased by 11,000 jobs in May to the highest level since October 2008 and average weekly hours set a series high for May as contractors struggled to find enough workers to meet demand for projects, according to an analysis of new government data by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials urged lawmakers and other public officials to address the growing shortage of available qualified workers by funding and re-invigorating career and technical education programs
MBA Announces Nomination of CBRE’s Brian Stoffers to be 2018 Vice Chairman
The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) announced the nomination of Brian F. Stoffers, CMB, Global President, Debt & Structured Finance at CBRE, to be its Vice Chairman for the 2018 membership year. He will be elected by MBA members at the Association's 104th Annual Convention, which will be held this October in Denver, Colorado
ConsensusDocs Coalition Announces 2017 Officers
ConsensusDocs, a coalition of 40 design and construction industry associations, announced today its recently elected 2017 Contract Content Advisory Council leadership (aka Drafting Council). Joanne S. Brooks, Esq., Vice President and Counsel for The Surety and Fidelity Association of America (SFAA), was elected as Chair.
Energy Department Advances Additional $20 Million in Research Awards
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced it is honoring additional commitments to 10 previously selected Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) awardees for a total of $20 million. These projects are part of an evaluation process that has worked to ensure best practices and good governance principles are applied consistent with the new Administration’s policy directives
Department of Energy Announces Dr. Thomas Zacharia as Director of the Oak Ridge National...
On Wednesday, May 31st, United States Secretary of Energy Rick Perry announced the appointment of Dr. Thomas Zacharia as the new Director of the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). He was unanimously selected by the UT-Battelle Board of Governors to succeed Dr. Thom Mason as ORNL’s Director. Dr. Zacharia has accepted this position and will transition to Laboratory Director at ORNL effective July 1, 2017
Alliance To Save Energy Statement On Paris Agreement
Alliance to Save Energy President Kateri Callahan released the following statement Thursday regarding President Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw from the Paris climate agreement
Statement of the American Wind Energy Association on U.S. decision to withdraw from the...
Tom Kiernan, CEO of the American Wind Energy Association, today released the following statement on the Administration’s announcement that the U.S. will withdraw from the Paris climate accord: “Despite the decision today to pull the U.S. out of the Paris Climate Accord, the wind industry expects to continue as an American economic success story.
HUD KICKS OFF NATIONAL HOMEOWNERSHIP MONTH
The Trump Administration proclaimed June as National Homeownership Month, a time to reflect upon the impact owning a home has on household wealth, neighborhood stability and the nation’s broader economic health. The theme of National Homeownership Month 2017 is “Find Your Place in a New Era of Homeownership.”
Greg Seldon Transitions to New Role at IBTS
The Institute for Building Technology and Safety (IBTS), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, is pleased to announce that its own Greg Seldon will be transitioning to a new position as Director of Strategic Partnerships in the coming weeks.
Consultative Council to Host Briefing During High Performance Building Week 17 hours ago
The National Institute of Building Sciences Consultative Council will host a briefing during High Performance Building Week to highlight its 2016 Moving Forward Report. The Congressional luncheon briefing, “Achieving a High-Performance Built Environment: Findings and Recommendations from the Consultative Council,” will be held Tuesday, June 6, from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Cannon House Office Building, Room 122, in Washington, D.C.
