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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to expand the list of acceptable substitutes and prohibit the use of certain chemicals in the U.S. that significantly contribute to climate change where safer, more climate-friendly alternatives exist. This is another step forward in a series under President Obama's Climate Action Plan, which aims to reduce emissions of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), a class of potent greenhouse gases that can be up to 10,000 times more potent than carbon dioxide and are used in air-conditioning, refrigeration, and other equipment.

On March 29, the U.S. General Services Administration’s (GSA) Public Buildings Service (PBS) Commissioner Norman Dong announced the disposal of the Cotton Annex, a property in a prime location in the District of Columbia. GSA is an economic catalyst for cities and communities across the country. Moving underutilized properties out of the federal inventory allows for local use that may better promote economic growth

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) are honoring 149 businesses and organizations in 35 states for their commitment to saving energy and protecting the environment through superior energy efficiency achievements. Recipients of the 2016 Energy Star Partner of the Year Award include Beazer Homes, The Home Depot and Verizon.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is honoring Kenton County School District in Ft. Wright, Kentucky for their commitment to saving energy and protecting the environment through superior energy efficiency achievements. The school system is one of 149 businesses and organizations in 35 states to receive the honor. Recipients of the 2016 Energy Star Partner of the Year Award include Beazer Homes, The Home Depot and Verizon

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced today the award of $784,421 in Specially Adapted Housing Assistive Technology (SAHAT) Grants to eligible individuals, researchers, and organizations to develop new technologies that would enhance Veterans and Servicemembers’ ability to live in specially adapted homes. The SAHAT Grant Program was authorized by Congress to design assistive technologies to expand home modification options for Veterans who apply for VA’s Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) benefit. Grants of up to $200,000 have been issued to four selected grantees.

Background: OSHA's continuing partnership with the association, which represents more than 800 union and non-union construction companies throughout Missouri, eastern Kansas and parts of Nebraska, will emphasize reducing injury and illness in the top four construction industry hazards - falls, struck-by, caught-in/between and electrocutions*. The initiative also places emphasis on training workers to recognize amputation and machine hazards at contractor-associated fabrication shops. These are among the most frequently cited OSHA violations.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency awarded $329,650 to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas to research human and ecological health impacts associated with water reuse and conservation practices. Nationally, $3.3 million was awarded to five institutions nationwide for water reuse and conservation research.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency awarded $749,631 to the University of California, Riverside to study the human and ecological health impacts of water reuse and conservation practices. University researchers will use the funds to measure levels of contaminants in vegetables irrigated with treated wastewater. Nationally, $3.3 million was awarded to five institutions nationwide for water reuse and conservation research.

Comcast today announced a pilot program with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) ConnectHome initiative to dramatically reduce the digital divide for public housing residents. Eligibility for Internet Essentials, Comcast’s high-speed Internet adoption program, will be immediately extended to public housing residents in Miami-Dade County and the cities of Nashville, Philadelphia, and Seattle. This is the eighth time in five years Comcast has expanded eligibility for Internet Essentials.

Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Deputy Administrator Joe Nimmich, Coast Guard Rear Admiral Mark Butt, and DHS Assistant Secretary for International Affairs and Chief Diplomatic Officer Alan Bersin met with Republic of Korea Minister of Public Safety and Security Park Inyong to discuss a range of shared homeland security-related issues, including critical infrastructure protection, counterterrorism cooperation, and lessons learned on disaster management and preparedness

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced funding to five institutions to research human and ecological health impacts associated with water reuse and conservation practices.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority (ABCWUA) have agreed to a settlement for violations of the Clean Water Act. ABCUWA will pay a civil penalty of $33,500 and build a pipeline to provide water to a wildlife refuge.

Today, on World Water Day, Ranking Member of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) released a white paper to advance the development of a 21st century national framework for addressing drought and water security in the United States.

Water challenges are facing communities and regions across the United States, impacting millions of lives and costing billions of dollars in damages. These challenges are particularly problematic in predominantly poor, minority, or rural communities, where water inequality can go hand-in-hand with socioeconomic inequality. Recent events, including record-breaking drought in the West, severe flooding in the Southeast, and the water-quality crisis in Flint, MI, have elevated a national dialogue on the state of our Nation’s water resources and infrastructure.

The Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance held a hearing on Tuesday on how government regulations impact the cost of housing. Subcommittee members heard testimony from a panel of witnesses who addressed housing trends and how government policies can promote or hinder the development of affordable housing.

the Subcommittee on Water, Power and Oceans held a budget oversight hearing to review irresponsible spending and harmful regulation under the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Bureau of Reclamation and the Power Marketing Administrations (PMAs)

Putting the national spotlight on the importance of water sustainability, the Department of the Interior and the Bureau of Reclamation released a basin-by-basin report that characterizes the impacts of climate change and details adaptation strategies to better protect major river basins in the West that are fundamental to the health, economy, security and ecology of 17 Western states.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced today funding for 24 American Indian and Alaska Native communities to deploy clean energy and energy efficiency projects. DOE plans to invest over $9 million in 16 facility- and community-scale energy projects in 24 tribal communities.

With strong demand for residential design in every region across the country, homeowners investment in their kitchens and bathrooms remains a primary focus. Kitchens specifically have reinforced their position as the center of the home with design considerations that accommodate multiple activities. These are among the major findings from the AIA’s Home Design Trends Survey for the fourth quarter of 2015, which focused on kitchen and bath design trends.

Senator Sheldon Whitehouse applauded the House’s passage today of the Foreclosure Relief and Extension for Servicemembers Act, which extends key foreclosure protection to those who serve. Whitehouse authored the legislation, which was unanimously approved by the Senate in December. The bill now awaits the President’s signature to become law.