This Week’s News for LA’s Best Buildings

California Bans Watering ‘Nonfunctional’ Grass in Some Areas, Strengthening Drought Rules

California water regulators adopted emergency drought rules Tuesday that increase conservation requirements for water suppliers throughout the state and prohibit the watering of grass that is purely decorative at businesses and in common areas of subdivisions and homeowners associations.

The regulations outlaw the use of drinking water for irrigating “nonfunctional” grass at commercial, industrial and institutional properties.

If It's Cheaper to Electrify Buildings, Why Isn't It Happening More Broadly?

If you’re reading this at home in the United States, there’s a 75 percent chance that some aspect of the building you’re in is run directly off fossil fuels. Space and water heating in the built environment contribute to 10 percent of U.S. carbon dioxide emissions and account for a majority of utility bill costs. Fully electrified buildings can lower utility bills, increase building value and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.

7 Ways U.S. Cities Can Make Clean Energy Initiatives More Equitable

America’s clean energy appetite continues to grow, with more than 180 U.S. cities committed to 100% renewable electricity. While this is promising, more needs to be done to expand the full benefits of clean energy to everyone in these communities. Historically, whiter, more affluent residents have benefitted from publicly funded clean energy initiatives, while low-income and Black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC) have been left behind.

How Leaning on Nature Can Beat Urban Heat

In 2021, summer in the northern hemisphere saw a record-breaking heatwave in North America and devastating wildfires in Europe that destroyed homes and vital infrastructure. As the world’s temperature continues to rise, heatwaves are becoming more frequent and longer in duration, and their impact more catastrophic.

'It Has to be a Priority': Why Schools Can't Ignore the Climate Crisis

Torrid heat, raging wildfires and prolonged drought are Fifteen years ago, Greg Libecci quit his career in sales at Fortune 500 companies to do something good for the planet: make public schools more sustainable. Since 2010, he’s been the energy and resource manager for the Salt Lake City district, tasked with minimizing the district’s use of energy and natural gas.

Progress has been slow going.

Image by Francine Orr via the Los Angeles Times