LEED v5 Drafts Open for Public Comment

The U.S. Green Building Council has opened the first public comment period for its draft rating system, LEED v5. This step marks a milestone for LEED and the building industry at large, providing a comprehensive framework for creating sustainable, efficient, and resilient built environments that promote environmental responsibility, economic viability and social equity.  LEED v5 emphasizes impact, alignment and interconnectedness to support initial and ongoing sustainability efforts throughout a building’s lifecycle. Impact highlights include:         LEED v5 Operations + Maintenance puts existing buildings on a path to decarbonization and ties Platinum-level certification to near-zero carbon operating emissions. … Read more

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Advisory Committee on Construction Safety and Health to Meet April 24

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration announced that the Advisory Committee on Construction Safety and Health will meet for a teleconference and online meeting from 1-5:30 p.m. EDT on April 24. The committee will discuss the Heat Injury and Illness Prevention in Outdoor and Indoor Workplaces and Infectious Diseases rulemakings and other issues with a period for public comments. Submit comments and requests to speak at the Federal eRulemaking Portal, using Docket Number OSHA-2024-0002 by April 18. Be sure to include the docket number on all submissions. Details on how to attend are included in the … Read more

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ABC Releases February Construction Spending Data

National nonresidential construction spending declined 1 % in February, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of data published by the U.S. Census Bureau. On a seasonally adjusted annualized basis, nonresidential spending totaled $1.179 trillion. Spending was down in a monthly basis in 15 of the 16 nonresidential subcategories. Private nonresidential spending fell 0.9%, while public nonresidential construction spending was down 1.2% in February. “Virtually every nonresidential construction segment experienced a decline in spending in February,” said ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu. “In certain instances, the monthly decline was sharp, including healthcare (-2.2%), commercial (-1.9%) and water supply (-1.8%). … Read more

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Linc Housing Starts Construction on Supportive Housing for People at Risk of Homelessness

Construction is underway on North Harbor Apartments, a Homekey development that served as interim housing and is now being transformed into 87 supportive housing apartments for people experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless. The development is one of four Homekey sites for Linc Housing, with a total of 393 new affordable and supportive homes in Orange and Los Angeles counties in California. In February 2023, Linc finished the first phase of the project when it transformed the former Studio 6 Motel into interim housing. This next phase will take the previous 119 rooms and completely renovate the building … Read more

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New AI Resource Guide Available for Contractors

Associated Builders and Contractors has released an artificial intelligence technology guide for the construction community, which includes definitions, construction use cases and considerations. The purpose of the guide is to provide a level of knowledge to ensure contractors can be active participants in the construction AI conversation. The guide describes uses of AI during the construction project lifecycle, including preconstruction, construction and building maintenance. It also provides definitions of terms, such as deep learning and predictive AI, as well as best practices in drafting office AI policies. “The possibilities of AI technology may sound endless, but we must first educate … Read more

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