The Covid-19 pandemic is finally slowing to a halt across much of the U.S. It’s been a long 15 months, but many of us are starting to get back to some semblance of normalcy. The pandemic taught us a lot about our health. Whether you were fortunate enough to evade infection or know someone that got sick, the past year made everyone realize how precious our health can be. Dust, bacteria, allergens, and other airborne particles often make it harder to breathe. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says that poor air quality is one of the biggest threats to public health.

After a year of wearing masks and washing our hands non-stop, use these tips to make sure you and your loved ones are breathing clean air every single day.

Check air quality

Air quality tends to change on a dime across much of the country. Pollution, smog, and other toxins can easily blow in one minute and blow away the next. Use the Air Now website to check current air quality levels in your neighborhood. The agency will rate the quality of the air based on sensitivity to those with respiratory conditions.

If you think you’re safer inside your home than out, think again. Studies show 87% of American homeowners are not aware that pollution may be worse inside their homes than outdoors.

Watch out for wet or damp areas that can spread mold. Regular activities, such as cooking, cleaning, and remodeling, can cause air pollution. Millions of homeowners took on new projects at home during the pandemic. Dust and other debris may be floating around without your knowledge. Use an indoor air quality monitor to see how your home stacks up to the outdoors.

Call a professional to test air quality

Contact an air quality expert to inspect your home. They will test the air throughout your home to make sure it is safe to breathe. This is essential if someone with respiratory issues or immune deficiencies is living or staying in your home.

Having poor air quality doesn’t mean your home is dirty. Even a clean home can have lots of bacteria floating around in the air. Experts say that around 30% of newly constructed and remodeled homes have indoor air quality problems. The issue usually has to do with your home’s HVAC system. It may need a new filter or thorough cleaning. The technician will clean the inside and outside of your unit to make sure you and your loved ones can stay comfortable without putting your health at risk.

Install an air cleaning system

Your system should do more than just change the temperature; it should remove harmful toxins and particles from the air. The technician can install an air cleaning system to improve the overall quality. They can also add the IWave air purifier to your HVAC system for more air pollution control. It uses special needlepoint bipolar ionization (NPBI) technology to eliminate potential hazards. It can get rid of up to 99.98% of all airborne allergens, including those that can cause Covid-19.

Don’t take a chance with your health post-Covid-19. Use these tips to keep your loved ones safe and healthy all year long. Contact the professionals at A-1 Guaranteed to schedule your consultation today!

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Originally Appeared Here

GRCC sign shows opportunities for students at the college. (Lillian Linscott/The Collegiate)

The Grand Rapids Community College Board of Trustees met May 2 to discuss the proposed budget for 2022-2023.

The meeting started off with a presentation by Lisa Freiburger, GRCC’s Vice President for Finance and Administration, that focused on the general fund of the institution. Towards the end, they discussed the ancillary fund as well.

Also discussed was the closing of the 2021-2022 budget, with special emphasis on the upcoming revenue from the summer semester’s enrollment. 

“Right now, our billing units are coming in a bit lower than anticipated for this first summer session,” Freiburger said. “They’re not all the way in yet. We do not have a final solution, and we, of course, have a second summer session, so we have a possibility to see some increase there.”

They also spoke about other revenue streams, such as property taxes and the interest rate environment as well. Property taxes are coming in strong and it seems that interest rates will continue to grow, which will result in an unrealized loss for GRCC’s portfolio.

Freiburger then outlined the various federal stimulus funding that GRCC has received and what they were used for this past year. 

“We have three rounds of funding, all out of the higher education funding stream, and each of those had a student allocation, an institutional allocation, and an additional smaller allocation related to our school improvement funding stream,” Freiberger said.

The board reported $19.8 million in funding that was transferred directly into the hands of students, which went into childcare and transportation and other impact issues stemming from the pandemic.

“We provided vaccine incentives for students, and we also used those (funds) to upgrade indoor air quality through air purification systems and several major HVAC projects,” Freiburger said. “We have upgraded classroom furniture across the institution to allow for more flexibility and social distancing options in classrooms.”

Another topic touched on was the amount of vacant positions in the college, which Freiburger referred to as a “savings (of) $500,000.” The flipside of this, the lack of personnel in these roles, was not touched on.

Freiburger also spoke on potential increased expenditures, such as adding a new position into the Student Life office to assist students, which would cost $70,000. In addition, a proposal for $100,000 to go into athletics was also mentioned. Ideally, it would be used for increased travel for GRCC athletes. 

After that, a $160,000 increase was proposed to do mandatory maintenance on the software systems employed at GRCC. The board would also like to bring on a Michigan Health and Human Services associate to support students. This would cost the college $80,000.

Secretary Kathleen Bruinsma asked Freiburger to elaborate further on the addition of the MHHS position. “Is that related to the needs we have seen during (the pandemic)? Can you maybe talk about what led to that investment?”

President Bill Pink interjected here to give some background on the addition of this position in the ongoing budget for 2021-2022. “One of the things we were realizing, in our student life area, the need for some of our students to have that level of support, in the form of a caseworker… would help us tremendously,” Pink said.

Previously, students would be sent off campus for these types of needs, but Pink noted, “In pandemic days, that need for an (in-house caseworker) seemed to rise.”

Among other proposed increases, one notable one was $12,000 for campus police equipment, which was described as a “basic equipment upgrade.”

For the 2022-2023, preliminary general fund scenario, GRCC is projecting total revenues to be $119.6 million, with the total projected expenses to be $119.5 million. Given the larger financial picture, this leaves the school with a $50,000 surplus and an ending net assets of $22 million.

“With that, what we will be bringing to you in June for your consideration is, in essence, a balanced budget,” Freiburger said.

Freiburger also touched on the June 13 meeting where the actual budget proposal will be brought to the board for adopting. The goals for that meeting include approving the tax levy, and considering salary increases for the Meet and Confer group.

After the budget presentation ended, Vice Chairperson Kenyatta Brame addressed the group about commencment and the success of the end of the year festivities. 

“We had a great ceremony last week for graduation,” Brame said. “I think the Ford Fieldhouse has to be the happiest place on earth (during graduation).”

Trustee Salvador Lopez closed the meeting out by thanking President Pink for his involvement in planning the ceremony and festivities for the students’ graduation as well. 

The meeting adjourned directly after that. To watch the entire meeting, click here. 

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Originally Appeared Here

As wildfires scorch the drought-stricken forests of New Mexico, Source New Mexico’s Austin Fisher has been helping connect the dots between fire, climate change, and COVID19, and he names one important nexus: Our Lungs.  KUNM’s Jered Ebenreck spoke with Austin.

AUSTIN FISHER: There’s a growing consensus among scientists that air pollution in general, including wildfire smoke, actually exacerbates respiratory illnesses like pneumonia and acute bronchitis by impairing the body’s immune response. A team of Harvard researchers found that even short-term exposure to wildfire smoke increased COVID-19 cases and deaths during the 2020 wildfire season in Oregon, California, and Washington.

In very practical terms, the same things that protect you from Coronavirus, also protects you from wildfire smoke — high quality masks like N95s, or air filters that can filter COVID out of the indoor air in a building.

KUNM: COVID relief funds had been allocated to get some of the indoor air circulation up to code. And yet, we do see that due in part to challenges of staffing at the state level of implementation and regulation that not necessarily all of our indoor spaces have the necessary filtration

FISHER: That’s right. The state is tracking the spending and there’s a very helpful dashboard that shows the data of that spending. However, there is no database in the state of New Mexico that actually tracks whether or not that spending has gone to filtration or air ventilation. There’s no actual easy place for teachers, parents, students, other members of the public to find information about what their local school districts are actually doing.

And so, I brought this to the Finance and Operations Director of the New Mexico Public Education Department, Antonio Ortiz. He said we don’t have the staff or capacity at the department to go out there and verify every single building, what they’re doing.

KUNM: This also points to, so we know we have the tools (95 Masks, proper HVAC filtration systems) but these tools are not necessarily widely available. How does this then cross back over to New Mexicans facing both COVID-19 and now wildfire evacuation responses, wildfire smoke exposure, both indoor and outdoor?

FISHER: We are in sort of a double crisis mode right now. I am fully confident that the people responding to the fires are doing everything they can but there’s no public messaging from any authorities in New Mexico or elsewhere that is including COVID-19 as part of this new emergency. There are huge amounts of resources going into evacuating people, into providing them food and water while they are being evacuated, into actually fighting the fires. But none of that public messaging includes the fact that everybody out there is breathing in this wildfire smoke.

I published a story with an aerosol scientist who actually loves the area around Las Vegas, and has spent a lot of his childhood there. And he’s worried that there might not be even the awareness out there that you can protect yourself from wildfire smoke with a high-quality mask. He reminded me that the federal government distributed these N95s to pharmacies across the country. So, I called the pharmacy in Las Vegas, the one pharmacy in the town, that received these masks, and they said they were out. That was on April 4. The staff at the pharmacy said there are very long lines because so many people are trying to get supplies during this crisis.

KUNM: Thank you, Austin Fisher from Source New Mexico for joining me today. I really appreciate it, be safe.

Fisher: Thanks so much for having me

https://www.kunm.org/news/2022-05-04/resources-for-those-affected-by-wildfires-and-those-who-want-to-help

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Originally Appeared Here

Four out of the five largest wildfires in Colorado have occured within the last five years.
Chris Dillmann/Vail Daily

This week, Eagle County and each of its municipalities signed resolutions proclaiming May as Wildfire Preparedness Month. As the name implies, this initiative serves to remind community members that now is the time to take the important steps that will protect your home, your loved ones and your health in the event of a forest fire.

Four out of the five largest wildfires in Colorado have occurred within the last five years. The most destructive fire in state history, The Marshall Fire, started on Dec. 30 of last year and destroyed 1,084 homes in Boulder County. Here in Eagle County, wildfire season came early, with the wind-fueled Duck Pond Fire in Gypsum spreading to 99 acres just a few weeks ago in April.

Eric Lovgren, the county’s wildfire mitigation specialist, said that such unprecedented weather conditions should be a wake-up call to everyone that the prevalence of wildfires has increased dramatically in recent years, and it is essential to be prepared for the worst.

“The climate piece shouldn’t be lost on anybody, that we had a snow day and a wildfire with evacuations within five days of each other,” Lovgren said. “That, to me, is extreme weather.”

The guidelines for preparing for a wildfire are organized into three simple categories: Ready, Set, Go. As the weather gets warmer and the land grows drier, preparing your home, being tapped into alerts and emergency communication systems, and having an evacuation plan will heighten your chances of protecting yourself and your property if the flames start to close in.

The Eagle County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved the resolution recognizing May as Wildfire Preparedness Month for the county on Tuesday.
Eric Lovgren/Courtesy photo

Eagle County has created a series of four tasks, one for each week of May, that will ensure community members are properly prepared for wildfire season. The schedule can be found at ECEmergency.org, under the “wildfire” tab.

“Looking at the amount of fire activity we’ve seen over the last five years, looking at how many more events we’re seeing into the spring and fall, the shoulder seasons, and then how dry it’s getting in the higher elevation areas, I don’t know that there’s too many places in Eagle County that shouldn’t be thinking about preparing for the impacts of fire,” Lovgren said.

Ready: Prepare the battleground

One of the most effective ways to protect your home from the threat of forest fires is by identifying and getting rid of wildfire hazards on your property that could fuel a burn. Lovgren describes this step as “preparing the battleground,” and likens it to the way that 300 Spartan soldiers were able to hold off hundreds of thousands of Prussian adversaries in the famous Battle of the Thermopylae, as dramatized in the movie “300.”

“They chose where they fought, they chose their battleground, they prepared it, and they were able to do a lot with a little,” Lovgren said. “Of course, that’s a movie, but that’s the metaphor for what we’re trying to do with fire mitigation.”

Fire mitigation does not only serve the homeowner’s interest, but contributes to a community-wide service that lowers the risk of a fire spreading quickly through a neighborhood due to abundant sources of fuel. It also gives firefighters more time to control the flames.

Some of these mitigation steps are small, regular efforts like cleaning leaves and debris out of gutters, sweeping underneath decks, trimming back trees and cutting lawns. To identify more thorough steps to take, all residential properties in Eagle County have access to free REALfire property assessments, which are conducted by members of the county’s mitigation team.

A firefighter ignites the brush for a prescribed burn in East Vail. Private property owners can remove wildfire fuel and hazards on their own property to make neighborhoods more resistent to encroaching flames and give firefighters more time to control the blaze.
Chris Dillmann/Vail Daily arhcive

Homeowners can complete an online application form, and schedule a free assessment of their home ignition zone, analyzing features such as the construction and combustibility of roofing and siding materials, windows, vents, decks; landscaping features, such as type and location of trees, bushes and other vegetation; and the location of other accessory structures, propane tanks, and storage of firewood. An assessment typically takes two to four hours, and property owners or caretakers are expected to be home for the duration of the assessment.

At the end of the assessment, the homeowner will receive a list of mitigation actions specific to their property, and if they complete all of them, they receive a REALFire certificate.

While earning a certificate does not guarantee that your house will be safe from a wildfire, it heightens the odds that your property will survive, and the more houses that are fire mitigated in Eagle County, the better chance firefighters have to control a residential burn.

“These state and federal agencies can’t come in and fix your roof or cut down your trees on private property, so those homeowners, those homeowners associations, those property managers all down the line, that’s where we want to make the biggest call to action,” Lovgren said.

Set: Access up-to-date information

Having up-to-date information on fire restrictions, active wildfires and evacuation orders is critical for making safe decisions during wildfire season.

The best place to check for fire restrictions and prohibited activities is ECEmergency.org. The website has an interactive map of the county that colors each area according to its restrictions: green for no fire restrictions, yellow for stage one, red for stage two, and black for complete fire ban. Once you click on an area, a link is provided for more information on prohibited activities under each restriction level.

The most effective way to receive timely wildfire and evacuation notifications is by signing up for EC Alerts. Subscribers to the free notification service can choose to receive emergency messages to their phone, desktop and/or mobile device based on chosen alert areas and categories. You can also opt in to emergency notifications by phone for certain geographic zones or neighborhoods. EC Alerts is also available through the Everbridge phone application.

Signing up for EC Alert will give community members access to critical updates about wildfire movement and evacuation notices.
Chris Dillmann/Vail Daily archive

It is just as important to provide information in this preparatory stage as it is to receive it. In order for firefighters and emergency services to perform their roles most efficiently, it is highly beneficial for them to have pertinent information about the households that they are trying to protect. On Eagle County Community Connect, residents can provide information about their property, the people in their household, identify people with mobility or other functional needs, and list pets. With this information at hand, firefighters can better respond and make decisions during an emergency.

Lovgren emphasized how important these alert systems and communication lines are for maximizing the efforts of first responders and keeping them safe during a fire.

“This has been a complaint that I hear on my side of things from emergency responders, is they are spending so much time chasing around 911 calls, bad intel, somebody’s not out kind of stuff, that they’re putting themselves in danger and they’re not able to firefight because they’re chasing things around,” Lovgren said.

If each community member can take responsibility for staying aware of encroaching wildfires and knowing how to respond, it will keep the firefighters’ attention where it is needed most.

Go: Have an exit strategy

The final step to prepare for a wildfire is to have an evacuation plan and be prepared to potentially return to a home that has burned down.

The county recommends that each resident have an emergency checklist prepared ahead of time that covers the essential “6 P’s” — people and pets, papers and important documents, prescriptions, pictures and memorabilia, personal computers, and plastic — in reference to credit cards and cash. Identifying these can’t-lose items before the panic of an evacuation sets in will allow quicker movement and more rational decision making during a potentially life-changing event.

The Ready.gov website lists a number of additional steps, including having a designated evacuation route, and if possible a planned location where you know you can stay during an evacuation, as well as creating a basic disaster supplies kit should you be uprooted for a sustained length of time.

Lovgren also recommends that people check their insurance before a wildfire occurs, and gather important information for making claims should they lose their homes. He said that an easy way to account for everything in the home is to take a video, documenting all of the belongings that you would want replaced.

Preparing your exit strategy now will make the evacuation process safer and easier for everyone, because when the order to evacuate comes, Lovgren said that the goal for all residents is simply to get out as quickly as possible.

“The reality is, if you aren’t ready for the fire environment, you aren’t ready for the fire environment,” Lovgren said. “It’s going to be smoky, it’s going to be chaotic. It could be black as night. You are going to be panicked, and the last thing you want to do is be a liability to yourself or your family or those firefighters that are there.”

Seeing smoke

With wildfires increasing in size and frequency across the nation, smoke and air quality have become a growing public health issue in Eagle County. Though there were few fires in close proximity to our valley last summer, smoke from the record-setting blazes in California, Oregon and other states caused areas across Colorado to become clouded in haze.

In reaction to this growing issue, the county is introducing a new Eagle County Smoke Ready plan this summer that will contain information about how to react to changing air quality conditions.

Plumes of smoke cloud the sky during the 2021 Sylvan Fire. Eagle County is taking steps to mitigate the health impacts of poor air quality due to smoke.
Chris Dillmann/Vail Daily archive

Morgan Hill, the county’s environmental health manager, is spearheading the Smoke Ready campaign.

“We know that with our changing climate, we are going to be impacted by wildfire smoke on a much more regular basis, and probably every summer,” Hill said. “We have a number of different community sectors that need information when we have a wildfire smoke event, and what steps they need to take, so we’re making sure that we have all those resources available on our website or wherever it’s the easiest for people to access.”

Hill said that the plan should be completed by the end of June, and that it will be a living document that changes in accordance with needs and conditions on the ground.

Over the past few years, the county has purchased a number of air quality monitors that are placed throughout the valley, and can be read at all times on fire.airnow.gov. Similar to the fire restriction map, users can see each of the monitors on a map of Eagle County, colored in accordance with the air quality index that it is registering at that time. The map also includes an “actions” section, which provides guidelines for the current AQI. Guidelines are different for higher risk populations — such as children under 5, people over 65, and those with pre-existing respiratory conditions — and normal risk populations.

In most cases, a raised AQI will lead to recommendations of reduced outdoor activity, and reduced intensity of activities, to prevent adverse health effects of smoke inhalation. One point of preparation that Hill recommends is installing an air cleaner or filtration system to keep indoor air clean.

“We encourage everyone who can to buy a portable air cleaner for their home or office building, especially in Eagle County,” Hill said. “A lot of homes don’t have central air conditioning, and they rely on opening their windows at night to cool the home. So when the air quality is poor and we have a lot of smoke in the air, it’s tough to decide sometimes if you should open your windows at night. That’s why we recommend trying to keep indoor air clean with that filter.”

Hill acknowledged that many people are required to be outdoors for work, and said that anyone who is working outside in poor air quality conditions should wear an N95 face mask and try to find times during the day to rest in an indoor space with clean air.

“We are planning to work with our businesses and buildings that do have those spaces so that people know they can go to that place when we do have smoky air,” Hill said.

 

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Originally Appeared Here

Award marks the third consecutive win for the global leader in residential indoor air quality, energy efficiency and innovation

HARTFORD, Wis., May 6, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — Broan-NuTone® has been named a recipient of the 2022 ENERGY STAR© Partner of the Year — Sustained Excellence Award. This is the third year the company has received this distinction, emphasizing its continued efforts to develop a wide variety of high-quality, energy-efficient consumer products geared towards improving indoor air quality (IAQ), not sacrificing it.

Broan-NuTone Logo

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy present the yearly ENERGY STAR Sustained Excellence Awards to a distinguished group of businesses and organizations that have made a long-term commitment to fighting climate change and protecting public health through energy efficiency. They are among the nation’s leaders in driving value for the environment, the economy and the American people.

“Thank you to the EPA and DOE for continuing to recognize the work done by organizations and businesses like ours to create a more energy-efficient and cleaner environment,” said Edwin Bender, vice president of marketing for Broan-NuTone®. “We are proud of our team for their ongoing efforts to create products that positively impact customers’ lives, the environment and indoor air quality.”

The importance of energy efficiency continues to grow as the average amount of energy consumed by Americans has doubled nearly every 20 years. Broan-NuTone® ENERGY STAR-certified ventilation fans, range hoods, and fresh air systems provide builders and homeowners with efficient, powerful, and long-lasting performance, with the added benefits of easy installation and less maintenance.

Their complete line of ENERGY STAR® certified home ventilation solutions bring new meaning to energy and cost savings. Broan-NuTone® offers more than 80 affordable and environmental-friendly models to choose from, to meet a host of needs.

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“We know it’s going to take all of us working together to tackle the climate crisis, and the 2022 ENERGY STAR award-winning partners are demonstrating what it takes to build a more sustainable future,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “These companies are showing once again that taking action in support of a clean energy economy can be good, not only for the environment but also for business and customers.”

Winners are selected from a network of thousands of ENERGY STAR partners. For a complete list of 2022 winners and more information about ENERGY STAR’s awards program, visit https://www.energystar.gov/about/awards/2022_energy_star_award_winners.

About Broan-NuTone®

Broan-NuTone® LLC is North America’s leading manufacturer and distributor of residential ventilation products, including range hoods, ventilation fans, heater/fan/light combination units, balanced ventilation systems (IAQ), built-in heaters, attic ventilators and residential built-in convenience products including doorbells and central vacuum systems. Broan-NuTone® LLC is proud to be an ENERGY STAR® partner.

About ENERGY STAR

ENERGY STAR® is the government-backed symbol for energy efficiency, providing simple, credible, and unbiased information that consumers and businesses rely on to make well-informed decisions. Thousands of industrial, commercial, utility, state, and local organizations—including more than 40 percent of the Fortune 500®—rely on their partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to deliver cost-saving energy efficiency solutions. Since 1992, ENERGY STAR and its partners helped American families and businesses avoid more than $500 billion in energy costs and achieve more than 4 billion metric tons of greenhouse gas reductions. More background information about ENERGY STAR’s impacts can be found at www.energystar.gov/impacts and state-level information can be found at www.energystar.gov/statefacts.

Cision

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/broan-nutone-earns-2022-energy-star-partner-of-the-year–sustained-excellence-award-301541949.html

SOURCE Broan-NuTone

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Originally Appeared Here

Inclusive Prosperity Capital

HARTFORD, Conn., May 06, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Inclusive Prosperity Capital, Inc. (IPC) has raised $13 million of program- related investments (PRI) from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, McKnight Foundation, and The Kresge Foundation to support the capitalization and deployment of accessible clean energy upgrades across the nation. Created in 2018, IPC’s mission is to ensure everyone has access to the benefits of clean energy. IPC’s programs and products are designed to serve historically marginalized communities and other underserved markets – non-profits, faith-based institutions, small-to-medium commercial businesses, affordable multifamily housing, and credit-challenged and lower income homeowners.

The foundations have provided IPC with a combined $13 million in PRI – critically flexible and catalytic capital support. Investors like these are deeply aligned with IPC’s mission and have allowed IPC the opportunity to expand the depth and breadth of its investing platform. IPC intends to blend the PRI money with other private and public capital to create a unique investment platform for underserved markets.

John Balbach, Director of Impact Investments at MacArthur, said, “With its roots in green banking, its deep connections in community development, and its intentional focus on engagement with historically marginalized communities, IPC is demonstrating that the expansion of clean energy and energy efficiency solutions is inextricably intertwined with climate justice. These solutions must be accessible for all communities, and we are thrilled to provide IPC with $5 million in catalytic capital to advance this essential mission.”

Elizabeth McGeveran, Director of Investments at McKnight, said, “We are thrilled to build on our philanthropic support of Inclusive Prosperity Capital’s expansion to the Midwest with a $5 million program-related investment. We know that we can’t win on climate unless we’re attentive to racial equity and justice and bring everyone along. With this investment, IPC and local partners will create more opportunities for underserved communities to reap the benefits of the clean economy.”

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Joe Evans, Portfolio Director and Social Investment Officer of The Kresge Foundation, said, “Kresge has invested in IPC from the beginning because we believe in its unique mission. We’re excited to make this additional capital available to them in partnership with new investors.” Kresge provided a $3 million PRI.

Kerry O’Neill, CEO of Inclusive Prosperity Capital, said, “Foundation investors like these are at the core of our ability to deliver on our mission. Without low-cost PRI investment, we’re less likely to be able to provide a loan for an affordable multifamily building to install heat pumps and improve indoor air quality, or to help a community center or house of worship in an underserved community go solar and see significant savings on their bills, or to help low-income homeowners make green improvements that reduce their energy burdens. We are so grateful to Kresge, McKnight, and MacArthur, who have helped us streamline the capital raising process from this critically important sector. The need for catalytic capital is only growing, and it’s how we’ll ensure everyone has access to the benefits of clean energy.”

About Inclusive Prosperity Capital:

Inclusive Prosperity Capital, Inc. (“IPC”) is a not-for-profit investment platform scaling clean energy financing solutions that channel investment capital to program partners in communities that need it most. As a spin-out of the Connecticut Green Bank, IPC is focused on scaling its work and expanding its successful model nationwide by accessing mission-driven capital and partnerships. IPC operates at the intersection of community development, clean energy finance, and climate impact. We believe everyone should have access to the benefits of clean energy, helping to deliver Inclusive Prosperity. For more information about Inclusive Prosperity Capital, please visit inclusiveprosperitycapital.org

About The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation:

The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation supports creative people, effective institutions, and influential networks building a more just, verdant, and peaceful world. MacArthur is placing a few big bets that truly significant progress is possible on some of the world’s most pressing social challenges, including decreasing nuclear risk, promoting local justice reform in the U.S., and reducing corruption in Africa’s most populous country, Nigeria. In addition, the Foundation continues its historic commitments to the role of journalism in a responsive democracy as well as the vitality of our headquarters city, Chicago. MacArthur also is committed to building the field of impact investing and providing catalytic capital to address social and environmental challenges around the world.

About McKnight Foundation:

The McKnight Foundation, a Minnesota-based family foundation, advances a more just, creative, and abundant future where people and planet thrive. Established in 1953, the McKnight Foundation is deeply committed to advancing climate solutions in the Midwest; building an equitable and inclusive Minnesota; and supporting the arts in Minnesota, neuroscience, and international crop research. The McKnight Foundation has committed to achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions across its $3 billion endowment by 2050 at the latest and over 40% of its $3 billion endowment has some mission alignment, with $500 million committed to decarbonizing the economy. Learn more at McKnight.org.

About The Kresge Foundation:

The Kresge Foundation was founded in 1924 to promote human progress. Today, Kresge fulfills that mission by building and strengthening pathways to opportunity for low-income people in America’s cities, seeking to dismantle structural and systemic barriers to equality and justice. Using a full array of grant, loan, and other investment tools, Kresge invests more than $160 million annually to foster economic and social change. For more information visit Kresge.org.

CONTACT: Media Contact: Nicholas Nedd T: 203.433.5060 E: [email protected]
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Originally Appeared Here

Recovery Supports

• Restorative Justice Leadership Roundtable 2022 – The Role of Restorative Practices in Recovery
• Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Assessment Opportunity for Local Education Agencies and Schools (reminder)
• LEA Individualized Special Education Supports Now Available (reminder)

Health & Safety

• Coronavirus (COVID-19) Vaccine Requirements for Students in the 2022-23 School Year
• Revised Immunization Attendance Policy and Resources for the 2022-23 School Year
• School Health and Safety Guidance Technical Assistance (reminder)
• Biweekly Test Kit Distribution for Pre-K, Kindergarten and Staff (reminder)

Important Announcements

• Course Data Collection Pilot
• The DC Title I Committee of Practitioners is Looking for New Members for the 2022-23 School Year (reminder)
• Early Access to Incoming Student Data: Tools for Schools  (reminder)
• The Office of Out School Time Grants and Youth Outcomes (OST Office) is hiring an Executive Director (reminder)
• DCPS Summer Staffing Opportunities (reminder)
• Data Privacy Reminder: Protect Student Information (reminder)
• 2022 Health and Physical Education Assessment (HPEA): Reminders and Updates

Professional Development, Leadership Opportunities & Events

• School Teams Invited! 2022 OSSE Multilingual Learner Conference
• New PD Series: Engaging English Learners in Instruction Through Social-Emotional Learning (reminder)
• Restorative Justice Leadership Roundtable (reminder)
• SIOP Overview: Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol (reminder)
• Upcoming Virtual Professional Learning for DC Educators (reminder)

Grants & Funding

• Monitoring of FY21 Grants: Evidence due June 30, 2022
• SOAR Formula Semi-Annual Narrative Reports due May 16, 2022 (reminder)
• Scholarships for Opportunity and Results (SOAR) Act Third Party Competition – Application Now Open (reminder)

Upcoming Deadlines

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Originally Appeared Here

06 May 2022

 

With summer on its way, what are the most important steps facilities managers can take to ensure HVAC systems are optimised for effective performance in hot weather?

In this Opinion piece, Martin Sargeant, Development Director at ABM, outlines the process of getting heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems summer-ready.

Martin’s career in property and facilities management spans two decades. His experience covers all types of built environments from corporate to warehouse, both nationally and internationally. Martin joined ABM in 2020 to help the business utilise the rapidly expanding innovation within the facilities management industry and identify new solutions that will enable business growth across different sectors.

 

“Cooling – or heating – a large public building isn’t as simple as setting the desired temperature and walking away. The unpredictable weather that the UK has to offer can make it quite a challenging brief at times.”

 

Getting HVAC Systems Summer-Ready – What Facilities Managers Need to Know

 

The recent bank holiday saw the UK enjoy its hottest day of the year so far which was a timely reminder that summer is on its way and now is the time to get that heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) system summer-ready.

Whatever the season, it is crucial to have a flow of good iindoor air quality (IAQ) circulating throughout a building to ensure a supply of fresh, healthy air. If the experience of the past couple of years has taught us anything, it’s the importance of indoor air quality and the impact it has on our health

A study by CBI Economics analysis, commissioned by the Clean Air Fund, found an improvement in air quality can significantly reduce work absences, which could see the UK gain close to £600 million through less workforce absenteeism.

So where does HVAC come in? These systems play a critical role in delivering healthy, safe indoor air quality and our role, as facilities solutions experts, is to minimise the risk of any air pollution and ensure HVAC equipment runs as efficiently and effectively as possible. 

As summer approaches and many workers return to the office, the focus for facilities management providers must be on optimising a building’s HVAC system to maximise its performance and deliver good indoor air quality.

Cooling – or heating – a large public building isn’t as simple as setting the desired temperature and walking away. The unpredictable weather that the UK has to offer can make it quite a challenging brief at times.

 

Four Hot Weather FM Considerations for Summer

 

Here are four key considerations for facilities managers as we edge closer to summer:

 

1. Getting Shared Offices Summer-Ready

 

Shared office space has the greatest amount of heating and cooling issues, and commercial properties will have a higher impact from multiple occupiers having varied and high demands. In order to meet those demands in warm weather, it’s important to be prepped.

Don’t be caught by surprise by a sudden heatwave. Make sure the HVAC system is fully tested prior to the warmer months arriving. It’s also important to have sufficient spare parts available in case any faults occur.

Check air filters regularly, particularly before the summer months, and if they are clogged with dust and dirt make sure you clean or replace them. Failure to change the filters will restrict airflow when temperatures rise, reducing the efficiency of a building’s HVAC function when occupants need it most.

Another way to prepare for summer is to review a building’s window coverings. Ensure all blinds are in good working order so the occupants won’t suffer from sunlight coming through and increasing the indoor temperature.

 

Picture: a photograph of an engineer wearing a high-visibility jacket looking at a control panel. Image Credit: ABM

 

2. Sustainable HVAC

 

In today’s world, green initiatives are not just a nice thing to have to show a business is acting responsibly, they are now expected. They are essential to remaining competitive and HVAC has a role to play in the sustainable story.

Poor planning of a cooling strategy will lead to very high energy usage and speed up the need to replace equipment.

At ABM, we are experts in heating, ventilation, and cooling, and during the summer months, we recommend clients utilise free cooling at night to reduce energy usage. Free Cooling allows fresh, cool, outside air into the building to reject heat and perform cooling, rather than relying on the refrigeration cycle of the HVAC system.

Using cooler outside air to assist in cooling overnight means free cooling can take over fully from the HVAC system’s compressors, providing an environmentally friendly and cost-effective approach to process and HVAC cooling.

An HVAC system’s compressor is the main power drain on any cooling system so even the slightest reduction in running time, operating capacity or operating conditions can have a significant impact on the energy consumption of the system.

 

3. Don’t Forget About Your Heating System

 

It’s so easy to forget about your heating system during those warm summer months, however, summer is the best time to focus on your heating equipment.

Maintaining your heating system during those months, when it isn’t needed, ensures you can address any issues and get them fixed, before the cold sets in. Summer maintenance means you know the system will be working as efficiently as possible when it’s needed the most, which is great for energy costs because an efficient system means less energy is required to heat a building.

When a workforce feels the cold, they’ll reach for the desk heaters which can cause very dry, unhealthy air. If the heating system is prepped and working as it should be, there’ll be no need to dust off the indoor heater.

The HVAC system will also be more efficient when it is fitted with clean filters and clear air vents, a further advantage of ensuring better air quality in a building. If a heating system hasn’t been used for several months there is a risk that the components in the system, and the ducts, will have gathered dust and debris.

 

4. Technology for Healthy Buildings

 

When in any indoor environment, pathogens are more likely to spread…even during summer which is why it’s important to consider keeping your building healthy all year round.

Our EnhancedFacility™ programme offers IAQ sensors and Ultra-Violet C lighting, which is among the most recognised and effective technologies for air and surface disinfection. It also includes HVAC systems capable of supporting highly efficient particle filtration (HEPA) filters; these provide even greater protection to building occupants by capturing more types of airborne substances.  

Emerging technologies also in the EnhancedFacility™ portfolio include Needlepoint Bipolar Ionization; an exciting technology which uses electrically charged oxygen ions. When generated inside the HVAC system, these ions group fine particles into filterable clusters, break down harmful volatile organic compounds and inactivate microorganisms. This technique has demonstrated effectiveness on a broad range of airborne contaminants as well as unpleasant odours and is just one example of emerging technology we are using.  

Picture: a photograph of a person in a well-let office, standing up and gesticulating with their hands. Ceiling-mounted lampshades can also be seen. Image Credit: Pexels

Article written by Martin Sargeant | Published 06 May 2022

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Originally Appeared Here

In total, we conducted 13 semi-structured interviews with 14 employers and four focus groups with 29 employees. We excluded one employer from our analysis after it was discovered during the course of the interview that they worked for a company employing over 250 employees; thus, the findings reported here are based on 12 interviews with 13 employers. The mean age of employers (Table 1) was 53 years (SD = 11). The largest proportions of employers were male (54%), White (92%), and Non-Hispanic (100%). Sixty-two percent had never smoked, 38% had formerly smoked, and no employers currently smoked. All employers indicated that their worksite offered health insurance to employees. The mean age of employees (Table 2) in the focus groups was 42 years (SD = 14). The largest proportions of employees were female (59%), White (76%), and Non-Hispanic (83%). About 38% of employees currently used tobacco, followed by 35% who formerly used tobacco and 28% who never used.

Table 1 Participant characteristics, employers, n = 13Table 2 Participant characteristics, employees, n = 29

Employer Interviews

Three key themes arose from our interviews: 1) the local environment played an important role in tobacco control EBI implementation; 2) tobacco control was perceived as important but not a priority; and 3) decisions made about tobacco control were driven by worksite culture. Each of these themes is described in detail below.

Theme 1: The Local Environment Shaped Tobacco Control

Participants described several features of the local environment that facilitated their worksite’s tobacco control efforts. A common facilitator was external policies, such as clean-indoor-air laws. In some cases, enactment of these laws pushed worksites to develop an internal policy or allowed for a more proactive approach to enforcement of, and compliance with, current policies. State political climate also had an impact, with participants in more liberal states noting that people tended to be more supportive and accepting of tobacco control efforts:

“So, I think people in [state] are a little bit more aware about the rules and regulations and are a little less pro-smoking than some other areas I’ve been to. The state laws help, the local laws help.” – Male, 45, Former Cigarette Use

A few participants described collaborating with local agencies on tobacco control interventions, and that this made implementation easier:

“I mean the [external agency collaboration was] huge…even to the costs of implementing, not just creating the policy and understanding best practices and how we’re going to enforce things, but the actual cost of implementation was burdened on somebody else and not on our organization. So that’s certainly helpful.” – Male, 42, Never Smoked

Of note, when we asked participants to describe how local competitors influenced their decisions around tobacco control, nearly all indicated that competitors did not influence implementation.

Theme 2: Tobacco Control Important but Not Prioritized

While participants were supportive of tobacco control efforts, most indicated that it was not a priority at their worksite. In many cases, participants felt like there were not enough employees who used tobacco or issues with compliance to warrant making tobacco control a high priority:

“I don’t think [tobacco control EBIs have] been prioritized enough, but it may have to do with the fact that we don’t have that many smokers…we’re geared more towards overall healthy lifestyle…I think we focus on that a little bit more because we have more staff who need help with it.” – Male, 45, Former Cigarette Use

Participants highlighted tobacco use as being lower and more stigmatized now than in the past, and noted that employees who did use tobacco tended to hide their behavior or do it away from others. In other cases, participants described being satisfied with interventions already in place. While COVID-19 did not have a direct impact on tobacco control efforts at most worksites, a couple of participants described tobacco control dropping in priority due to more pressing issues that had emerged since the pandemic began.

Some participants described being open to implementing new interventions if a demonstrated need among employees existed. When we asked participants to describe key attributes that they would look for when deciding whether or not to adopt a new tobacco control intervention, a few participants described the value in having a prescribed or “turn-key” program to make implementation easier (e.g., ready-made resources, draft policy language, etc.). A couple of participants described the importance of understanding the context for tobacco use and cessation, specifically motivations for use, and the extent to which employees are interested in engaging with tobacco cessation programs. Otherwise, attributes described as desirable varied substantially and included: tailored to the worksite’s industry; evidence-based; has the capability to measure work impact; contains inclusive materials and messaging (e.g., avoids stigmatizing individuals with disabilities caused by tobacco use); and has good graphic design for cessation resources (e.g., posters).

Theme 3: Decision-Making Driven by Company Culture

The culture of the worksite, including leadership support, drove decisions made about tobacco control. Several participants described having a worksite culture or mission aligned with health and wellness; it was made clear by some that tobacco use was not consistent with this culture:

“Well, I mean, we work with young children and so we talk a lot about secondhand smoke and the impact that that has on families…the fact that we work with very young, tender lives is what influences us most to promote anti-tobacco you know, promote not [using] tobacco products.” – Female, 65, Former Cigarette Use

A couple of participants described lacking management support for tobacco-free policies in the past, with subsequent changes in leadership helping to improve enforcement and compliance measures:

“Well it used to be not so good, because two of our managers smoked, and so they would take employees out on the curb across the street and have a smoke break…And now none of our managers smoke and they’re a little more mature, some of them have families, and so I think that makes a huge difference because there’s no one, at least in our businesses that foster smoking anymore.” – Male, 64, Never Smoked

One participant, an executive director, described his experience using tobacco and being exposed to secondhand smoke in his prior job, and said this influenced his decision to implement tobacco control interventions at his current worksite.

When we asked participants how their worksite makes decisions about whether to adopt a new tobacco control intervention, senior leadership was described as being at the forefront of decision making. In some cases, leaders sought feedback and/or approval from an advisory board. Though not all leaders sought feedback from employees, those that did described communicating with employees during monthly staff meetings and via informal conversations. In one case, the participant reached out to the one employee who smoked at their worksite to see if a new tobacco policy would present any issues for that individual. Participants also described receiving input from supervisors, who helped to inform decision-making and gauge buy-in from employees.

Employee Focus Groups

Three key themes arose from our focus groups: 1) employer support for tobacco cessation was limited although there was interest from employees; 2) employees who used tobacco were stigmatized for their behavior; and 3) incentives and coaching were considered ideal interventions. These themes are described in detail below.

Theme 1: Employer Support for Tobacco Cessation was Limited Despite Interest from Employees

Tobacco control EBIs were primarily limited to tobacco-free policies and provision of health insurance benefits for cessation:

“In my case, it’s you’re not allowed to smoke at work. You can smoke at about 50-100 feet away actually from the premises, but I don’t expect them honestly to offer promotions to quit smoking. It’s just kind of up to you. I think all they care about is you come to work; you show up on time and you do as you’re told. You be respectful to other employees and be respectful to your boss. You meet your quota and be respectful and do what’s being asked of you, and go home having done what you’re supposed to do. That’s really all that my work cares about. I don’t think that they care a whole lot about trying to get employees to quit smoking.” – Male, 42, Current Tobacco Use

Most employees described their worksites as having a no-indoor-smoking policy. In many cases, tobacco use was also prohibited on the premises, or there were restrictions on outdoor use (e.g., tobacco use prohibited within 50 feet from building entrances). Participants also described specific benefits offered through their health insurance (e.g., access to nicotine replacement therapy), although these were sometimes perceived as cessation programs external to their worksite. These and other programs mentioned were often described as under-promoted at their worksite and under-utilized by its employees. Some participants felt it was not the responsibility of their worksite to offer support for cessation, although perceptions of tobacco control EBIs were generally positive:

“I think it’s great that companies are encouraging people to be smoke-free and giving them the support. It’s not just telling them, “Hey, we’re not going to be—we have a smoke-free environment and just expect them to adapt I guess without the supportive services like the previous folks had mentioned with the smoking cessation programs. I think it’s helpful, too, if you’re going to evoke a smoke-free environment to assist with the supportive services necessary to do so.” – Female, 35, Never Tobacco Use

Theme 2: Employees Who Used Tobacco Stigmatized for Their Behavior

Participants who currently used tobacco discussed hiding their behavior from co-workers due to the stigma associated with tobacco use. For example, some participants described not using tobacco while at work or leaving their worksite to use tobacco (e.g., in their car parked away from building), wearing perfume to cover up the smell of tobacco smoke, or using other tobacco products like smokeless tobacco or e-cigarettes to be more discreet:

“So, in my work I think that everybody is pretty much healthy. There’s only a few of us who smoke. So, if we do decide to smoke, most of the time we will just like get in the car and then park a few blocks away. And then we smoke and then we go back again, but we would spray perfume all over our bodies so that not a lot of people could smell it. Just because it’s a co-working space so if you stink, anybody could just smell it right away.” – Female, 27, Current Tobacco Use

One employee described not disclosing their smoking status in order to obtain jobs because they believed they would not be hired otherwise. Relatedly, some participants who did not currently use tobacco described those who did getting more breaks at work, which was perceived as unfair:

“…smokers get a lot more breaks than non-smokers. So, a bunch of non-smokers took up, “Hey, can we get an extra week of vacation because we don’t take smoke breaks?” So just something similar like that, it kind of sounds selfish, but at the same time they’re going to the effort for smokers, you know? You kind of feel a little not betrayed, but a little slighted if you’re a non-smoker.” – Male, 31, Never Tobacco Use

Theme 3: Incentives and Coaching Considered Ideal Interventions

When we asked employees to describe what an ideal tobacco control EBI would look like at their worksite, several employees mentioned offering incentives for being tobacco-free as well as cessation coaching or counseling. Example incentives included money, gift cards, and lowered healthcare cost-sharing (e.g., reduced monthly premiums):

“I would tend to think an incentive also, like give me a reason why I should quit. I know that’s the addiction that’s speaking out that way. I mean, it could be money-wise, or it could be gift cards or anything to that effect. I think that an incentive would be very powerful with a lot of people — not everybody, but quite a few people.” – Female, 52, Current Tobacco Use

A few employees described wanting a designated worksite space for cessation coaching and flexibility to access these services during the workday:

“…we offer one-on-one coaching through our employee health insurance. I noticed that a lot of their meeting availability for coaches is during the day, Monday-Friday, which is typically when everybody is at work. So maybe some flexibility there and maybe having a designated room or a designated office where those employees could go and meet with their coach virtually.” – Female, 37, Former Tobacco Use

Programs mentioned less frequently included a progressive shift toward 100% tobacco-free policies, social support from co-workers to quit, and mobile phone apps for cessation.

When asked about how to best promote these interventions, employees described e-mail as the preferred method. E-mail was identified as an ideal promotion method because it was used on a daily basis by many employees and in some cases already being used to promote other worksite programs. Additional promotion methods included posting via the worksite’s Intranet site and in common areas. Some participants favored incorporating cessation support into broader health promotion programming. Regardless of program offered, participants described success being dependent on employees’ internal motivation to quit. Some participants who did not currently use tobacco expressed a desire that similar incentives be offered for other health behaviors (e.g., physical activity), and a few participants described existing wellness programs at their worksite that offered such incentives (e.g., reimbursement for gym memberships).

Additional Themes

Two additional themes arose from our analysis of the focus group data: 1) e-cigarettes and vaping were not seen as a healthy alternative to cigarette smoking and 2) the COVID-19 pandemic has influenced tobacco use. Several employees, both who used and did not use tobacco, believed that e-cigarettes should be included in tobacco-free policies and that they did not help with smoking cessation. Some participants described e-cigarettes as being more convenient and easier to conceal, and that this allowed employees to use tobacco in smoke-free locations. As such, e-cigarettes were perceived as being more addictive than cigarettes and leading to more tobacco use overall:

“I’ve had friends switch to e-cigarettes, because like someone said that they don’t smell. They don’t stink after they smoke and so it didn’t help them at all. It helped them not smell bad and it’s not noticeable that they’re smoking sometimes. But then yes, if anything, they’re smoking more and taking in more nicotine than they were before probably.” – Male, 31, Never Tobacco Use

“I think that more people are smoking because of e-cigarettes. It’s the convenience, you know? You turn it on and don’t have to finish the whole cigarette and just take two puffs, take five puffs. I notice a lot more people with their little pens running around.” – Female, 37, Former Tobacco Use

However, some participants believed e-cigarettes could help with cessation if a stepdown approach (e.g., consuming higher to lower amounts of nicotine) was taken. Participants also described e-cigarette use as being more socially acceptable than combustible cigarettes and being used most among younger employees.

Regarding COVID-19, some participants described the pandemic as contributing to an increase in tobacco use, in part due to increased stress and ease of using tobacco while working from home:

“Because labor is one of the few things they can control, so people that are still there are given I think a much heavier workload in some professions. A lot of people smoke to cope with the stress. I could see how that would equate to people continuing to smoke or smoking more than they may have prior to COVID.” – Female, 57, Current Tobacco Use

“I think with people working from home, it’s easier for people to smoke on the job I guess. I mean, I even see people when we’re having Zoom meetings, they’ll be hitting their vape which normally if we were in the office, you know, that wouldn’t be a thing…I think that it’s a game changer for people as far as the amount that they could smoke throughout their workday.” – Female, 35, Current Tobacco Use

One participant described switching from cigarettes to smokeless tobacco, since they were working from home and their roommates did not like the smell of smoke. The extent to which the pandemic influenced worksite tobacco control was less clear. A few participants described both positive and negative changes in their worksite’s practices overall, including a greater push toward wellness, cuts to health benefits, and company downsizing. Opinions of tobacco use and worksite tobacco control EBIs seemed relatively unchanged due to the pandemic.

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3. Florim USA Earns WELL Health-Safety Rating

Clarksville, TN, May 6, 2022-Florim USA announced it has earned the WELL Health-Safety Rating through the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI), and is the first porcelain tile manufacturer and the largest manufacturer at large in the world to accomplish this goal, according to the company.  

The WELL Health-Safety Rating is an evidence-based, third-party verified rating for all new and existing building and space types, focusing on operational policies, maintenance protocols, stakeholder engagement and emergency plans to address a post-Covid-19 environment now and into the future. WELL Health-Safety Rating can help guide users in preparing their spaces for re-entry in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, instilling confidence in those who come through the building as well as the broader community.

The WELL Health-Safety Rating provides a centralized source and governing body to validate efforts made by owners and operators. It leverages insights drawn from the IWBI Task, the World Health Organization (WHO), U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as well as recognized standard-making associations such as the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) and ASHRAE. It sets the building standard and premier framework for advancing health in buildings and spaces of all kinds.

For achievement of the WELL Health-Safety Rating, Florim USA implemented a range of internal protocols and measures such as extra surface cleaning, masking policies at least in accordance with local requirements, remote work policies, and a staged return to the office.  Policies and procedures such as indoor air quality, employee benefits, and natural disaster response rates were reviewed as part of achieving the rating.

Florim USA was awarded the WELL Health-Safety Rating following the successful completion of third-party documentation review by GBCI to confirm it has met the feature specific intents and requirements.

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