President Biden’s recent executive order to make the federal government’s operations carbon-neutral by 2050 could have a significant impact on the adoption of more sustainable construction materials.
The order call for all projects in federally owned buildings to use only green construction materials. The action, leveraging the purchasing power of the government to increase demand, could jumpstart sustainable construction products manufacturing and spur more private-sector organizations to buy them.
The federal government spends about $650 billion annually for goods and services. The White House says that the purchasing power of the government will drive down the cost of green products and services, making them more affordable for families and businesses in the private sector.
Biden’s plan also ends federal purchases of gas-powered vehicles, and calls for facilities owned or leased by the federal government to be powered by wind, solar, and nuclear energy.
Related Stories
Concrete | Jun 13, 2016
American Concrete Institute releases new Guide to Shotcrete
Includes information on application procedures, testing.
Healthcare Facilities | Jun 10, 2016
Top 10 health technology hazards include some influenced by space design
ECRI Institute’s annual list includes operational and workflow issues.
Codes and Standards | Jun 9, 2016
Supreme Court ruling could aid developers on properties containing wetlands
Unanimous decision allows landowners to take regulatory decisions straight to court.
Green | Jun 8, 2016
TD Bank Group's renovated Toronto office is first WELL-Certified project under WELL v1
The newly renovated 25,000-sf space achieved gold-level status.
Concrete | Jun 7, 2016
Concrete Institute publishes document providing concrete curing guidance
New curing monitoring techniques included.
Energy | Jun 7, 2016
Energy modeling payback typically as short as one to two months
Energy modeling is a ‘no-brainer—like checking MPG on a car’
Green | Jun 2, 2016
USGBC offers new LEED pilot credit: Building Material Human Hazard and Exposure Assessment
For assessing human health-related exposure scenarios for construction products.
Resiliency | Jun 1, 2016
Federal agencies boost standards for more resilient construction
HUD, FEMA, GSA, Army Corps of Engineers make policy changes.
Green | May 31, 2016
Miami Beach requires developers to meet green standards or pay a fee
Applies to structures larger than 7,000 sf.
Codes and Standards | May 27, 2016
Better enforcement needed for successful implementation of energy efficiency policies
Commercial buildings the focus of recent code initiatives.
