In today’s news, we will look into the plan of a Sonic Drive-In owner to build a Craig Store. In order for the government to guide green building, better data is needed on the climatic implications of what they buy, as this is required for them to realize their environmental objectives. The Mighty Buildings completed the 3D-printed Zero Net Energy Home, which expanded the B2B’s growth. The Division of Apprenticeship Standards (DAS) is requesting proposals for a grant program worth $25 million to support equal representation in the construction apprenticeship industry. If you are interested in reading about the top construction blogs, feedspot have a great list of the 100 best construction blogs that is well worth checking out.

Sonic Drive-In owner still planning Craig store

Original Source: Sonic Drive-In owner says plans to build Craig store still on horizon

Craig has wanted a Sonic Drive-In for years, but the owner is waiting for building prices to drop before moving forward, possibly next spring.

Dean Sigler, who owns six Sonic Drive-Ins in the Western Slope, hasn’t changed his plans.

“We’ve put it on hold,” said Sigler. Due to COVID, construction prices skyrocketed, so we waited to build.

The Craig City Council authorized plans in January 2021 for a new chain restaurant east of Sixth Avenue and south of the U.S. Highway 40, north of the Walmart parking lot and across from the MRH urgent care center.

Sigler said that after the project was given the go-ahead, his team asked two contractors in Denver and Texas for bids.

The offers were greater than expected, said Sigler. and higher than other Sonics around the country.

Future Sonic started hiring when bids went out, but Sigler says he didn’t hire anyone because the project is on hold.

Sigler has been working with a Denver civil engineer on the new location’s design. As long as the construction plans don’t alter, they shouldn’t need City of Craig approval again.

“We’d love a store in Craig,” Singler added. We worry about Craig’s economy because coal is dying.

In addition to the proposed Sonic in Craig, Sigler has sites in Rifle, Delta, Montrose, two in Grand Junction, and Vernal, Utah.

The proposal to open a Sonic in Craig dates back to 2005, according to reports. In 2008, the city authorized development plans.

Shortly after, the national and local real estate markets tanked, and the first Sonic plans were scrapped.

For now, the community needs to figure out if building the restaurant next year will be good for the market.

Better data is needed to guide green building

Original Source: Governments need better data to guide green construction

Consumer corporations are using “carbon labels” to disclose their products’ carbon footprints. Such labels should allow buyers to compare products’ climate change implications. What if the government, which consumes more than you and me, wants to assess the carbon footprint of the building materials it purchases?

To meet their green goals, governments need better data on the climate implications of what they buy. Due to their buying power, this data and decisions can affect more. To accurately assess the carbon footprints of building materials requires teamwork and coordination. Thankfully, there is a new worldwide movement.

Openness

At the Clean Energy Ministerial in September, IDDI announced a new Green Public Procurement Pledge. It tells governments that by 2025, steel, cement, and concrete used in public construction projects should have their “embodied carbon emissions” tracked and made public. These building materials provide 50% of global industrial CO2 emissions. Decarbonizing these materials is important for fixing the climate crisis, and governments are some of the most important customers.

25% of steel demand and 40% of cement demand is public (also used to make concrete). Industrialization and urbanization will undoubtedly boost demand. To meet global climate objectives, their emissions must drop 90% by 2050. The pledge signals to the market: If you make it, we’ll buy it. This awareness reduces investment risk in emerging technologies.

 Market signals rely on repetition. As part of the commitment, there are more “ambition levels,” such as using low-emission steel, cement, and concrete in all public construction projects by 2030, and using all near-zero materials in one “flagship” project. Net-zero emissions by 2050 is the long-term goal, but we need to take steps in the meantime and get better data.

This includes using the same way to collect and report data on steel, cement, and concrete with low emissions. This information is needed to set goals, keep track of them, and write down and share best practices.

Standardization

IDDI is a global partnership between government and business groups that started last year (UNIDO). Canada, India, Saudi Arabia, the U.A.E., the UK, and the US are members. One of its main working groups works on data and reporting standards. More than 45 people from business, government, civil society, intergovernmental organizations, trade associations, universities, and think tanks are part of this group.

There are no standardized methods for capturing steel, cement, and concrete carbon embodied carbon. There are still questions about scope, limits, technology, time frames, and how to get data in a way that is easy for consumers to understand. The lack of public data on emissions from material manufacturing and use is a problem.

Japan and South Korea have created eco-labeling schemes to promote green procurement. Japanese label Eco Mark. The Green Purchasing Network maintains an online database of these products. This data is available to buyers and the public. South Korea’s Ecolabel is a leader in green public procurement that uses electronic tools and platforms.

Since there are no common criteria for eco-labels on different products, they vary from country to country, making it hard to compare them. This lack of homogeneity is disconcerting in a globalized industry with global supply networks.

Pioneering businesses are racing to build the first green steel and cement factories on a commercial scale and to use hydrogen and carbon capture. But more enterprises must join them and promote supply chain transparency. Standardization, privacy, and governance make companies hesitant to share and reuse data. This can help us reach our climate targets and encourage innovation and productivity.

Decarbonize industry

Schools, hospitals, public housing, roads, rail lines, and energy-utility sites like hydroelectric dams and wind turbines are all built by the government. They’re rewarded with taxpayer money by climate-focused nations.

Achieving the Paris Agreement goals (limiting global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius, preferable 1.5 degrees Celsius) will necessitate global decarbonization of industries, including construction. Green public procurement is a strategy for governments to drive the market and reward enterprises that develop greener products to help accomplish Paris goals.

Like consumers who care about the environment, governments need detailed information and comparable data to shop wisely and meet their environmental goals. The momentum from Pittsburgh should help.

Mighty Buildings completes a 3D-printed zero-energy home, expanding B2B

Original Source: Mighty Buildings completes 3D-printed zero net energy home, expands B2B growth

A 40+ unit neighborhood of 3D-printed homes with the panelized Mighty Kit method will give environmental and economic benefits.

Mighty Buildings Inc., based in Oakland, California, has delivered a fiber-reinforced 3D-printed home that was designed from the start to use zero net energy (ZNE). The startup intends to extend its B2B operations to help developers establish sustainable communities.

The two-bed, two-bath home is the first in a 40+ unit complex in Southern California and the first ZNE home built with 3D-printed panels (from Mighty Building’s Mighty Kit System). ZNE homes produce as much clean, renewable energy as they consume. This sustainable solution benefits developers, homeowners, and the environment, says Mighty Buildings.

The panel-based method used by Mighty Buildings cuts construction time on-site by more than half, which is good for both developers and homeowners. The walls of a Mighty Home are made from 60% recycled materials, use less material per square foot, and make 99% less waste than homes built the old way. Pre-production and ready-to-assemble kits cut down on the time needed for preparation and sourcing, which is helpful when resources and supplies are limited.

Mighty’s approach allows developers to use 3D-printed designs while providing climate resilience. A Mighty Home resists hurricane winds, high water, fire, mold, insects, and extreme temperatures.

“We’re delighted to create the sustainable housing standard of the future.” Slava Solonitsyn, CEO of Mighty Buildings, believes developers no longer have to pick between business, quality, design, and the environment. The first 3D-printed ZNE home is the culmination of years of R&D, including the establishment of a proprietary, certified construction technology and a breakthrough alternative to concrete with lower heat conductivity. Our manufacturing technology uses advanced robotics and automation to cut production time in half. The whole house can be built in four to five months, which makes homebuyers happier, workers on-site more productive, and helps developers make more money.

Mighty Buildings focuses on B2B relationships with home builders in the U.S. and around the world to speed up building that is better for the environment. Mighty Buildings can quickly scale to 50+ unit communities in many places.

DAS seeks proposals for a $25 million apprenticeship grant program

Original Source: DAS Solicits Proposals for $25 Million Equal Representation in Construction Apprenticeship Grant Program

The funds will enable women, non-binary, and underrepresented communities to enter into the building and construction trades.

The California Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) and its Division of Apprenticeship Standards (DAS) announced today that they will spend $25 million  to help women, non-binary people, and people from underrepresented groups get more training and jobs in the building and construction trades. Equal Representation in Construction Apprenticeship (ERiCA) award monies will cover childcare and outreach.

DIR Director Katie S. Hagen said the award will remove barriers to entry. “Women in construction said childcare costs were a barrier to working in the trade.” “We want organizations to use this financing to reduce barriers, support parents, and get creative in reaching out to disadvantaged populations in construction.”

The award can aid organizations that enable women, non-binary and underrepresented communities into construction. Community-based organizations, education agencies, workforce boards, unions, and other groups that support construction equity can apply. DAS has placed grant material online and will provide more specifics before January. DASGrantUnit@dir.ca.gov handles grant questions.

Labor Secretary Natalie Palugyai says women and non-binary people make up 3.5% of active building and construction apprentices. “Construction is considered a man’s job, therefore that’s why.” We’ll change it. We can make the construction industry more accessible and fair by reaching out to new and underserved groups more. This will help the industry meet its urgent need for skilled workers.

California’s 2022–2023 state budget includes $15 million more for a Women in Construction Priority Program at DIR.

The award money goes with the recently released Advancing Apprenticeship in California: A Five-Point Action Plan to bring the number of apprentices in the state up to 500,000 by 2029.

The Division of Apprenticeship Standards in the Department of Industrial Relations works with businesses to create a skilled workforce by making creative training programs for apprentices.

Summary of today’s construction news

Overall, as we have discussed, according to the proprietor of Sonic Drive-In, there are still plans in the works to establish a shop in Craig as they are waiting for building prices to drop before moving forward. To achieve their green building goals, governments want more accurate information on the environmental effects of the products they purchase. Mighty Buildings Inc. has delivered a 3D-printed home that uses zero net energy (ZNE). The startup will help developers build sustainable communities through B2B. Women, non-binary people, and people from marginalized communities will benefit from the Division of Apprenticeship Standards’ (DAS) $25 million investment in expanding access to the construction trades.