October 21, 2014

Energy & Advocacy News

>>EPA Releases Guidance to Improve Schools’ Indoor Air Quality and Energy Efficiency

Source: epa.gov

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released new guidance to help school districts protect indoor air quality while increasing energy efficiency during school renovations.

Both energy management and protection of indoor air quality (IAQ) are important considerations for school facility management during energy upgrades and retrofits, and schools can protect occupant health by addressing both goals holistically. These renovation and construction activities can create dust, introduce new contaminants and contaminant pathways, create or aggravate moisture problems, and result in inadequate ventilation in occupied spaces. EPA’s Energy Savings Plus Health: Indoor Air Quality Guidelines for School Building Upgrades offers opportunities to prevent and control potentially harmful conditions during school renovations. Read more here.

>>October Is National Energy Awareness Month

Source: ase.org / Anna Hahnemann

October means football season, pumpkin lattes, Halloween costumes and many other fun seasonal changes. While we’re excited for all things autumn, here at the Alliance we're welcoming this new month for another reason. On September 1991, President George Bush declared October as National Energy Awareness Month, encouraging government and organizations to raise awareness of the importance of sustainably managing the nation’s energy resources. Read more here.

>>Updates from the Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy
Source: energy.gov
The current issue of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Building America Update newsletter addresses:

>An overview of Building America Top Innovations, presented in a new, user-friendly website format

>Open registration for the 2015 Race to Zero Student Design Competition

>The September 24 webinar, Multifamily Ventilation Strategies and Compartmentalization Requirements

>2014 Housing Innovation Awards and Building America sessions at the EEBA Conference—September 23-25, 2014

>Residential success stories that employ Building America Top Innovations

>DOE Zero Energy Ready Home technical trainings

>The latest publications from Building America: measure guidelines, case studies for new and existing homes and technologies, and more!

Click here to access the most current Building America Update. Learn more about the Building America program.