December 4 - December 8, 2023
The U.S. General Services Administration announced a request for information about technologies that can enable energy efficiency, electrification and decarbonization in commercial buildings. Do you believe this is an effective way to ensure buildings achieve net zero requirements?

December 4 - December 8, 2023
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration is working on a new research initiative to advance digital construction management tools that will improve transit construction projects. Do you believe the construction industry should utilize digital tools more frequently?

November 27 - December 1, 2023
The U.S. Green Building Council launched its draft for the new LEED v5 rating system for Operations and Maintenance of existing buildings, which will adopt minimum requirements for embodied carbon by using a data-driven approach to certification. Do you believe this certification is a practical way to move toward net zero buildings?

November 27 - December 1, 2023
The National Energy Technology Laboratory has announced a new development in advanced sensors for the detection and prediction of corrosion in natural gas pipelines, using either optical fiber-based or passive wireless sensing technology. Should this technology be adapted for other sites that are at risk for a gas leak?

November 20 - November 24, 2023
A team has developed energy-efficient coating that mimics the qualities of a desert chameleon to keep buildings cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Do you believe creating temperature control coatings that mimic nature should be widely studied to increase coating technology efficiency?

November 20 - November 24, 2023
An antifouling biotechnology developed by I-Tech AB has protected the hull and other areas of the world’s largest hospital ship in a recent successful test, during which the ship was docked for extensive periods of time in warm waters. Do you believe these coatings could be adapted to better protect water-based wind turbines?

November 13 - November 17, 2023
The Miami-Dade County Health Committee in Florida moved legislation forward for a heat standard for outdoor workers, requiring construction and agriculture companies with five or more employees to provide 10-minute breaks in the shade every two hours on days when the heat index hits 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Do you believe this will be effective in protecting construction workers in warm conditions?

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November 13 - November 17, 2023
A new rule proposed by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration will require regulator stations to be designed with secondary pressure relief valves. Do you believe this rule will provide appropriate safety for the millions of miles of gas distribution pipelines?

November 15, 2023
As technology continues to develop, how likely are you to use a robotic or fully automated waterjetting system on a project?

November 6 - November 10, 2023
Researchers developed a new type of coating using thin lignin nanoparticle films that remain transparent when deposited on glass, according to the study, with potential uses for color-altering films and antifogging coatings. Do you believe this coating technology could be used to improve glass-based coatings?

November 6 - November 10, 2023
An analysis on industries with the happiest workers in the U.S. found that construction workers had the highest levels of self-reported happiness of any other major industry category, due in part to sign wages and greater job opportunities. Do you see this success within the construction industry, particularly with the labor shortage?

October 30 - November 3, 2023
Catalyst-coated lampshades have reportedly been designed to transform indoor air pollutants, such as volatile organic compounds, into harmless composites. Do you believe applying coatings to common household items is the most effective way to combat indoor air pollutants?

October 30 - November 3, 2023
In September, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of the Army announced a final rule amending the 2023 definition of “waters of the United States” to conform with the Supreme Court. Do you believe updates to the WOTUS rule will allow infrastructure projects, economic opportunities and agricultural activities to advance?

October 23 - October 27, 2023
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released a framework that takes a planned approach to review new and new uses of PFAS to ensure that they are extensively evaluated within 90 days to prevent the chemicals to enter into commerce. Do you believe this review time is enough to prevent PFAS from harming human health and the environment?

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October 23 - October 27, 2023
Researchers at the University of Houston are developing an autonomous robot, meant to identify potential pipeline leaks and structural failures during subsea inspections. Do you believe current autonomous technology should be used to conduct structural inspections?

October 16 - October 20, 2023
A team from Idaho State University found that recycled tires used as columns could withstand 50% more pressure than the columns that did not use tires. Do you believe recycled tires could be used as a nationwide solution to better reinforce and protect building from natural disasters?

October 16 - October 20, 2023
U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg stated in an interview that a massive backlog of broken bridges may mean that aging structures in need of repairs won’t be fixed soon. Do you believe enough is being done to address the high number of bridges in the U.S. in need of repairs?

October 9 - October 13, 2023
A study investigated how a natural polymer that is an element of plant cell walls could be used to make new antimicrobial treatments or coatings. Do you believe using natural polymers could drive down the cost of antimicrobial coatings?

October 9 - October 13, 2023
The University of Illinois’ Grainger College of Engineering is set to be the site of a new research and development center, dedicated to autonomous construction technologies. Could an investment in autonomous construction technologies be a solution to the shortage of construction workers?

October 2 - October 6, 2023
Scientists from Rutgers University devised a method for creating coatings of biologically active materials using the industrial spray-coating process electrospray deposition, which could lead into a new era of transdermal medication. Do you believe the medical and healthcare industry will adapt spray-coating technology on a national scale?

October 2 - October 6, 2023
In August, the U.S. Department of Energy announced it awarded almost $34 million to industry- and university-led projects on clean hydrogen. Should more money be put into clean hydrogen as a leading clean energy option?

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September 25 - September 29, 2023
The white, gray and burgundy color scheme of the newly painted Balboa Theatre in downtown San Diego has divided residents and preservationists, with concerns that the landmark’s paint job is not historically accurate. Do you believe colors should only be used if they are historically accurate to maintain full preservation?

September 25 - September 29, 2023
Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology Bhilai have reportedly developed a new formulation for a “self-healing” polymeric coating for solar cells. Do you believe self-healing coatings can be widely used within the industrial coatings sector in the next decade?

September 18 - September 22, 2023
Researchers have developed new films that don’t absorb light to potentially reduce the energy needed for cooling in buildings or vehicles, inspired by the nanostructures in butterfly wings. Do you believe researchers should take further inspiration from nature-based structures for sustainable films?

September 18 - September 22, 2023
A team of researchers in Japan developed a new way to produce crack-resistant elastic nanoparticle-based latex films without the use of potentially harmful additives. Do you believe more money should be utilized for research for crack-resistant coatings?

September 11 - September 15, 2023
Researchers from Bayreuth University developed an upcycling process that transforms aluminum-plastic composite films, used in household items like chip bags, into energy-saving films using polymer coatings. Do you believe this type of household-based upcycling is the future of sustainable coatings?

September 11 - September 15, 2023
A new building material, called polystyrene, is made up of large panels that are equipped with double galvanized steel mesh on the outside and then finished with 2 inches of concrete on either side, all made for homes to withstand a Category 5 hurricane. Do you believe new building material like polystyrene is the best solution to buildings’ exposure to extreme weather?

September 4 - September 8, 2023
A study from Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University and Nanjing University suggested to use a “reverse” passive design approach for building sustainability, which would utilize building optimization software. Do you believe digitalization solutions are required to meet decarbonization efforts with buildings?

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September 4 - September 8, 2023
In response to the summer’s heat, cities like Phoenix and Los Angeles have continued their efforts to coat their roads with a reflective grey paint to fight the intense heat waves. Do you think reflective coatings an effective tool to proactively combat exposure conditions in urban areas?

August 28 - September 1, 2023
Residential property management company Atrium Ljungberg announced the world’s largest urban construction project in wood in Stockholm, Sweden. Do you believe more large-scale construction projects should rely more heavily on wood and lumber?

August 28 - September 1, 2023
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently announced that they have issued a proposal that could improve the accuracy of reported greenhouse gas emissions such as methane and are consistent with the Methane Emissions Reduction Program. Do you believe stricter reporting on GHG data and emissions sources will improve decarbonization?

August 21 - August 25, 2023
A team from the New Jersey Institute of Technology is assessing the seismic response of high-performance fiber-reinforced cementitious composites to better protect buildings from earthquakes. Should reinforced buildings be used to test for better protection against other environmental disasters, such as flooding?

August 21 - August 25, 2023
The U.S. Geological Survey reported that at least 45% of the nation’s tap water is estimated to have one of more types of per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS), after testing was completed for the presence of 32 different types. Should substantial funding be set aside to address tap water safety?

August 14 - August 18, 2023
Researchers at the University of Kitakyushu in Japan have reportedly found that up to 8% of sand in concrete and mortar for a single-story house could be replaced with shredded, used disposable diapers without diminishing strength. Do you believe the use of disposable household products like diapers should become more widely used in the construction industry?

August 14 - August 18, 2023
After the incident of lead paint chips falling from the Tobin Bridge into nearby yards, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation said that its contractor would begin vacuuming the paint chips and safely disposing of them, starting in parking lots and then moving to yards, sidewalks and other areas under the bridge. Do you believe enough is being done to address residents’ concerns about the lead paint?

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August 7 - August 11, 2023
A recent study has suggested that if 139 billion gallons of the world’s whitest paint covered 1 to 2% of the Earth’s surface, global temperatures would stop rising due to the amount of light being reflected back into space. Do you think this concept would be practical in application?

August 7 - August 11, 2023
A study conducted by the Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment reports to have found that some epoxy coatings for offshore wind turbines can be potentially harmful to the environment. Should alternative coating types be explored for offshore wind turbines?

July 31 - August 4, 2023
Researchers from West Virginia University are testing the effectiveness of lower grade hardwood lumber made from yellow poplar as a more sustainable and affordable alternative to traditional building materials. Do you believe lower grade hardwood lumber should be made widely available for construction?

July 31 - August 4, 2023
In June, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued a final rule to update the Toxics Release Inventory chemicals list to identify nine additional per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) subject to reporting requirements. Do you believe this inventory is now fully comprehensive?

July 24 - July 28, 2023
An update provided on the Surfside, Florida, tower collapse indicated that the swimming pool deck failed to comply with building codes and led to severe strength deficiency. Should more rigorous inspection processes be implemented in residential towers to prevent another collapse?

July 24 - July 28, 2023
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration awarded more than $570 million in funding as the first-ever grant program to help communities in 32 states eliminate points where railroad tracks intersect with roads. Should this grant program be extended to every state nationwide?

July 26 - July 27, 2023
Do you expect your company to seriously consider autonomous blasting equipment in the near future in order to cut down on the danger to blasting workers?

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July 17 - July 21, 2023
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced a proposed risk management ban on most uses of perchloroethylene. Do you believe perchloroethylene presents enough of a health risk that it should be banned?

July 17 - July 21, 2023
The Biden-Harris Administration announced $749 million in funding for the construction and repair of roads and bridges damaged by extreme weather. Do you believe the industry is taking proper measures to prepare for damage caused by extreme weather?

July 10 - July 14, 2023
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released proposed amendments that eliminates eligibility for exemptions from the full safety review process for new per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and other persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic chemicals to improve efficiency. Do you believe this amendment is worth the improve efficiency?

July 10 - July 14, 2023
California plans to invest up to $180 billion over the next 10 years in clean infrastructure, with an anticipated 400,000 jobs created in the process. Do you believe this is an appropriate investment budget?

July 3 - July 7, 2023
A previously repealed executive order to mandate styles in the design of federal buildings is now returning to Congress. Do you believe it is appropriate to mandate federal building design?

July 3 - July 7, 2023
The National Transportation Safety Board announced new recommended actions for bridge maintenance for bridges made of uncoated weathering steel, which call for authorities to review inspection reports and identify incomplete follow-up actions. Do you believe these recommended actions are drastic enough to fortify bridges?

June 26 - June 30, 2023
Global nonprofit organization Green Seal recently announced that its certified paints and coatings now qualify toward points for multiple LEED credits. Should this be adapted to sustainable coatings to promote a greener industry?

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June 26 - June 30, 2023
New research from Stanford University suggests that one of the most powerful earthquakes ever recorded in Alberta, Canada, was caused by wastewater injected underground by oil and gas operators. Do you believe large-scale oil and gas operations should be paused to investigate the potential of further natural disasters?