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  • Construction worker pushes water cart to worksite during heat wave
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    Spencer Platt via Getty Images
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    Deep Dive

    How to protect employees from heat and other climate extremes

    Basics like shade, water and rest can help, but HR should involve workers in the planning process, sources told HR Dive.

  • An electrical services contractor is seen working on an electrical power generator to repair an air conditioner.
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    Jacob Wackerhausen via Getty Images
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    MaintainX hits $2.5B valuation, pointing to demand for AI-driven maintenance

    The company last week closed a $150 million funding round that it says will help expand its AI capabilities and predictive maintenance solutions.

  • A photograph of white EV charging stations in a parking lot in front of a Bojangles restaurant.
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    Permission granted by Bojangles
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    Bojangles to install EV charging stations

    The QSR chain will begin installation during Q4 2025 and will have stations accessible at many of its locations next year.

  • SITE Technologies, aerial image analysis, roofing, pavement, Rabine
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    Courtesy of SITE Technologies
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    Using aerial image analysis to stack-rank maintenance across a portfolio

    An AI mapping overlay shows levels of wear and tear and a team of engineers suggests a work plan in a platform SITE Technologies offers facilities managers.

  • A man poses for a photograph in the back of a utility van.
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    Permission granted by Eddie Lopez
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    TikTokers promote skilled trades to young workers

    Online influencers are reaching members of Gen Z via the popular social media site.

  • wind tower construction in Newton, Iowa
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    Scott Olson/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    Tariffs keep managers, contractors guessing on material costs

    Construction prices jumped 6% through May on an annualized basis, but the full impact of tariffs has yet to be felt.

  • Stein Sperling, David De Jong, 2025 budget law, bonus depreciation, property renovation
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    Wasan Tita via Getty Images
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    New budget law includes property renovation incentives

    Restoration of 100% bonus depreciation and two other provisions give building owners a reason to fund improvements now rather than wait until later, according to a tax attorney.

  • Copper goods are displayed.
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    Spencer Platt via Getty Images
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    US to levy 50% copper tariffs Aug. 1

    Electrical wiring and appliances could be impacted. President Donald Trump made the announcement days after indicating duties were coming soon for copper and pharmaceutical imports.

  • Limbach, Pioneer Power, Consolidated Mechanical
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    Westhoff via Getty Images
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    With acquisition, Limbach pushes into long-term facility services

    By adding Pioneer Power to its operations, the specialized facility solutions company is furthering a shift to maintenance and other agreements with building owners.

    Updated July 14, 2025
  • Tina Kotek, wearing a yellow rain jacket, speaks with press.
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    Mathieu Lewis-Rolland via Getty Images
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    Oregon legislature passes first-in-nation microgrid framework

    Gov. Tina Kotek, D, is expected to sign the bills that advocates say would protect buildings and other critical infrastructure against increasingly frequent power disruptions.

  • Verkada, digital security cameras, facility security
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    Courtesy of Verkada
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    Using smart cameras as social media-fueled incidents heat up

    Cultural facilities are increasingly at risk for security breaches. That puts a spotlight on building operators as they try to pinpoint risks before they escalate.

  • HVAC, HEPA, IAQ
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    slobo via Getty Images
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    How to protect building occupants from allergens and asthma triggers

    While air quality, humidity levels and cleanliness are key, irritants can come from indoor surfaces and even cleaning products, experts say.

  • geothermal hvac system, Trane Technologies, North Shore school district
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    Courtesy of Trane Technologies
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    Chicago-area school district deploys geothermal system that’s a US first

    The dynamic closed-loop system uses groundwater to reject and absorb heat to provide year-round space conditioning for a 130-year-old elementary school, Trane Technologies says.

  • A drone flies over a brick building with 1600 over the door and U.S. flag on flagpole in front.
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    Courtesy of Michigan Central
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    Detroit uses drones and AI to target building efficiency improvements

    The city has partnered with startups and a tech incubator to test drone and AI technology that guides energy retrofits, saving time and money compared with traditional assessments.

  • Mahesh Ramanujam, US Green Building Council, economic downturn
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    ithinksky via Getty Images
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    Opinion

    The often-overlooked shelter from the storm: green buildings

    In the 2008-09 economic downturn, green buildings were a bright spot. They could be again as remote work, tariffs and inflation hang over the economy.

  • Sec. 179D commercial building energy efficiency deduction, Foreclosurepedia
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    Alex Potemkin via Getty Images
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    Loss of 179D deduction could derail office conversions

    Although the deduction is about making commercial buildings energy efficient, it’s been key to owners’ willingness to invest in obsolete and financially distressed properties, supporters say.

  • Stoplights and street between two tall buildings with more tall buildings in the background.
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    peeterv via Getty Images
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    Cities can decarbonize buildings while cutting costs, new road map says

    The guide from Climate Mayors and Veolia aims to help cities tackle one of their biggest greenhouse gas emissions challenges, even as federal support for energy efficiency and decarbonization shrinks.

  • workers at a recycling facility
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    Courtesy of Amazon
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    Q&A

    Amazon reaches 85% waste diversion rate

    Organics diversion programs and ongoing data collection investments are some drivers of that 2024 achievement, according to Justine Mahler, the company's waste and biodiversity director.

  • Austin, Texas State Capitol
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    Tamir Kalifa/Stringer via Getty Images
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    Texas law eases commercial building conversions to mixed-use, apartments

    Senate Bill 840 requires local governments to approve any project that meets its qualifications.

  • Philadelphia schools, asbestos, DOJ, criminal charges
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    Kyle Little via Getty Images
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    Asbestos lapses in Philadelphia school district will get deferred criminal prosecution, monitoring

    The case marks the first time federal prosecutors have used criminal charges against a public entity for failing to meet requirements for assessing and managing damaged asbestos, the Department of Justice says.

  • Energy Star NextGen Certified Building Logo
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    (2025). "ENERGY STAR NextGen Certification for Commercial Buildings" [Photograph]. Retrieved from Energy Star.
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    Column

    The Energy Star program has grown into an industry standard-setter

    The program’s Portfolio Manager software is used to track the energy use of almost 25% of commercial buildings. Its end could put owners, cities and states in a bind — at least for the short term.

  • A ventilation unit moves air in an office building.
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    Onurdongel via Getty Images
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    ASHRAE focusing on indoor environmental quality, sustainability

    President Bill McQuade’s theme for 2025-26 is healthy buildings. That goal doesn’t have to come at the expense of energy efficiency, a standards committee member says.

  • Business people at a conference event.
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    sanjeri via Getty Images
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    Facilities management conferences to note in 2025

    Here’s a look at the top events for building operators and their staffs happening in the second half of the year.

    Updated June 27, 2025
  • Section 179D Energy Efficient Commercial Building Deduction
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    afterday via Getty Images
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    Groups decry Senate’s elimination of building efficiency deduction

    The Section 179D Energy Efficient Commercial Building Deduction has grown into a major incentive for owners to retrofit their properties, supporters say.  

  • Hennepin County, energy, decarbonization
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    sfe-co2 via Getty Images
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    Minnesota county faces challenge in decarbonizing well-maintained district energy system

    Hennepin County “has done too good of a job” maintaining its 15-building steam and chilled water loops, leaving little room for incremental improvements, the project’s engineering consultant said at an industry conference.