Timothy Unruh’s Post

Illuminating classrooms with outdated lights? Consider a brighter, energy-efficient, and economically sound solution with Commonwealth Energy Group. Learn how we can help your college or school district pave the way for budget savings and a more sustainable future. https://ow.ly/wWzK50QnUSN #CommonwealthEnergyGroup #EnergyEfficient #EnergyNeeds #CommercialProjects #Financing #NEPA #PA #US #Canada

The King’s Speech 2024 marks the start of the new government’s legislative programme. It introduces 39 new Bills, addressing areas from planning and English devolution to renters’ and leasehold reform, infrastructure, and skills. This agenda seeks to tackle challenges in housing, energy security, and sustainability, aiming to enhance the well-being of consumers. https://lnkd.in/df7MZkCE

Part 2 of my takeaways from the Bennett Institute for Public Policy's annual conference on Friday 22 March 2024. The second panel was about infrastructure and I was delighted to see Jennifer Schooling - I worked for her when she was at the Cambridge Centre for Smart Infrastructure and Construction - among the panelists. Giles from the Institute for Government explained how political will might be lacking when it comes to delivery of infrastructure. Infrastructure is a long-term investment while political circles are short. Not having intercity networks in place is a missed opportunity. People outside cities have to rely more on cars because the public transport is not dependable. Jennifer from Anglia Ruskin University pointed out that there are different types of infrastructure, all providing critical services - roads, energy grids, education, etc - and all 'invisible' until things go wrong. Maintenance is key. As an example, there are 28,000 bridges in the UK and 14,000 were built before 1914. Many assets were built in 1850s. Greg, Member of Parliament for Tunbridge Wells, explained how the development of infrastructure could quicken productivity, which has stagnated for a number of years. National politicians might not be invested in long-term projects, but there is more momentum in regional politics, closer to communities. Other key points: *Policy is fragmented and projects are not connected to a bigger purpose. *Infrastructure is local, physical and used by humans who are physical. *Infrastructure depends on each other, for instance energy is needed for public transport. *ICT breakdowns can cause failure in the delivery of services, so we must have robust systems. *We need to break silos in infrastructure. However, sometimes regulation frustrates cooperation among systems. Prof Michael Kenny (chair) Rt Hon Greg Clar MP Jennifer Schooling Giles Wilkes #infrastructure #construction #politics #policy #innovation #ict

Workgroup alert for EV folks serving schools in California: The California Air Resources Board (CARB) and California Energy Commission (CEC), are having a joint workgroup to discuss the implementation of incentives for zero-emission public school buses and supporting infrastructure. Senate Bill 114 appropriated a total of $500,000,000 (NOT A TYPO- THERE'S A BIG INVESTMENT HERE 😎 )for the 2023-2024 fiscal year to fund these efforts. If you're a school district, school fleet manager, nonprofit who administers grants, manufacturer of zero-emission school buses or EVSE, or technology provider hoping to integrate with these projects - you should attend the workgroup on Zoom on Decemeber 5th. #electricbuses #evse #electricvehicles #climateinvestment

At ACHP, we keep track of proposed legislation that might have an impact on historic preservation and our federal review process ("Section 106"). In the current legislative session, we've notice many proposed exemptions to Section 106, including: * A large number (11!) of proposed bills that would exempt broadband projects. * The Limit, Save, Grow Act and the HEATS Act, which would exempt certain energy projects. * The Federal Land Freedom Act, which would exempt energy projects on certain federal lands. * And the Building Chips in America Act, which would exempt certain semiconductor projects. On behalf of ACHP, I called on Congress to reject these exemptions. ACHP already has administrative streamlining options in place, and a strong track record of tailoring reviews to agency and program needs. As just one example, I recently issued a decision that will expedite broadband construction across the country in a manner that avoids or minimizes impact on historic resources. We encourage Members of Congress to learn more about the tools we already have available—and are using—to balance preservation and progress. More below!

The 'Kings Speech' 2024 - Housing and Planning Reform   On the 17th of July 2024, King Charles III delivered his first speech under the newly elected Labour Government, setting out the legislative programme for their parliamentary term. The intention of the Government is to "get Britain building" via the introduction of the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, which seeks to accelerate the delivery of high-quality infrastructure and housing by: - Streamlining the delivery process for critical infrastructure. This includes the accelerated upgrades to the national grid and boosting renewable energy, unlocking delivery of our 2030 clean power mission and net zero obligations, and securing domestic energy security.  - Further reforming compulsory purchase compensation rules. This is to ensure that compensation paid to landowners is fair but not excessive, where social and physical infrastructure and affordable housing are being delivered.  - Improving local planning decision making. This will be done by modernising planning committees.  - Increasing local planning authorities' capacity to improve performance and decision making, providing a more predictable service to developers and investors. - Using development to fund nature recovery where currently both are stalled. The Government will work with nature delivery organisations, stakeholders and the sector over the summer to determine the best way forward.    The Government also vowed their commitment to a clean energy transition which will lower energy bills for consumers over time. "A Bill will be introduced to set up Great British Energy, a publicly owned clean power company headquartered in Scotland, which will help accelerate investment in renewable energy such as offshore wind".    For now, we patiently wait for the draft National Planning Policy Framework consultation to commence, suspected to start at the end of July. #KingsSpeech #Planning #reform #labour #GetBritainBuilding #energy #planningandinfrastructurebill Image copyright Andrew Fysh https://lnkd.in/eW6qsDk8

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has opened the application process for its next round of funding in the Renew America's Schools grant program. DOE anticipates awarding $180 million in grants to invest in energy upgrades that lower energy costs and improve air quality in K12 schools. The last round of funding included a project in Pennsylvania that was led by KCBA Architects, which will invest millions in improving energy efficiency and air quality for schools in one of the poorest districts in the state. These grants can be game changers for schools that have been underfunded for years, if not decades. https://lnkd.in/eF_Qu-xV #energyefficiency #indoorairquality #climateaction #climatepolicy #renewableenergy #schoolimprovement #publicschoolfunding #federalgrants #federalfunding #energypolicy

Scalable Cities Action Grant 4th Call for proposals. The Action Grant is a financial tool to support the replication of measures already successfully tested in Smart Cities and Communities projects. This call seeks to initiate the development of positive energy districts (PED) in the local context and / or tackling the technical, spatial, regulatory, legal, financial, social, and economic challenges of ongoing PED development projects and/or offering mentoring and knowledge exchange on PED development. Moreover, it looks to support and promote e-mobility solutions through the replication of successfully piloted solutions among SCC projects. The total envelope available for the present call is 120.000 EUR while the maximum grant amount for one project is EUR 50 000. The deadline for submitting the applications is 26th of April, 2024. https://lnkd.in/dbxYRuxs

🏫 Modesto City Schools: A model for school districts to reduce operational costs, reinvest savings, and improve student experience. By replacing diesel buses with 30 new electric school buses and solar charging infrastructure, Modesto City Schools will save: - $250k+ in fuel costs and overall maintenance 🚌 - Nearly 2M kWh in energy consumption 💡 Learn how Modesto tapped into innovative funding to finance their sustainable transition: http://spr.ly/6046gAJry

🚀 Key Announcements from the Chancellor's First Speech! The Rt Hon Rachel Reeves MP delivered her first speech as Chancellor on July 8th, promising immediate action to rebuild Britain's economy. Here’s a summary of the key points affecting the planning sector: 📈 Growth-Focused Planning System Consultation on revisions to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) will start by the end of July. 📄 Local Plan Coverage and Green Belt Review A Written Ministerial Statement will push for universal local plan coverage and regular Green Belt reviews. 🏗️ Ministerial Interventions in Development Decisions Ministers can now directly intervene in key development decisions with substantial economic benefits. 🏡 1.5 Million Homes Over Five Years The Government commits to delivering 1.5 million homes, focusing on increasing social housing. 📋 300 New Planning Officers 300 new planning officers will be recruited, funded by an increased stamp duty surcharge for non-UK residents. 🔋 Critical Infrastructure Policy and New National Policy Statements Consultation on a revised critical infrastructure policy will begin soon, with new National Policy Statements expected within the year. 💨 Lifting the Ban on Onshore Wind Infrastructure The ban on onshore wind infrastructure will end, with a consultation on integrating these projects into the NSIP regime. 🔌 Prioritising Stalled Energy Generation Schemes Decision-making on stalled energy generation schemes will be prioritised, extending the spatial plan for energy. 🚇 Expediting Key Infrastructure Projects The Departments for Transport and Energy Security will fast-track key infrastructure projects. 🏘️ Task Force for Accelerated Development A new Task Force will accelerate development on stalled sites, including over 14,000 homes in various locations. The rapid pace of these announcements is encouraging. We look forward to seeing these changes progress swiftly. However, the devil will be in the detail which will become apparent as the various consultation documents are launched and the other initiatives are progressed. Please get in touch if you want to discuss how your business can benefit from and capitalise upon these forthcoming changes to the planning system. Rapleys #development #realestate #planning #townplanning #greenbelt #property