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EPA Announces ENERGY STAR® NextGen™ Certification for New Homes and Apartments

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WASHINGTON—Today, May 7, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency officially announced the launch of ENERGY STAR® NextGen™ Certified Homes and Apartments, a voluntary, leading-edge certification program for the nation’s residential new construction sector. Developed with funding from President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, ENERGY STAR NextGen will increase national energy and emissions savings by accelerating the building industry’s adoption of advanced, energy-efficient technologies.

“President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act is addressing climate challenges head-on and accelerating the adoption of clean, affordable technologies,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “By collaborating with developers and home builders nationwide, ENERGY STAR NextGen is set to act as a catalyst for the construction of new, energy-efficient homes and apartment buildings. Strategic partnerships like this are not just cutting costs for American families and greenhouse gas emissions — they’re paving the way for a clean energy future for current and future generations.”

Building on the 30-year legacy of the EPA’s ENERGY STAR program, the ENERGY STAR NextGen certification will recognize homes and apartments with increased energy efficiency; reduced on-site emissions through heat pumps, heat pump water heaters, electric cooking appliances; and residential electric vehicle charging. Compared to typical code-level construction, homes earning the ENERGY STAR NextGen certification will be 20% more efficient and help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40%–80%.

Across the country, several early adopters have already begun to build to the ENERGY STAR NextGen specification:

  • Beazer Homes (Maryland)
  • GreenSmith Builders (Minnesota)
  • New Tradition Homes (Washington)
  • Quantum Equities, LLC (Washington)
  • Thrive Home Builders (Colorado)

Additionally, several utilities have announced early incentives for builders to adopt the specification:

  • EmPOWER Maryland, including Baltimore Gas and Electric (BGE), Potomac Electric Power Company (Pepco), and Potomac Edison (PE) (Maryland)
  • Snohomish County Public Utility District No. 1 (Washington)
  • Utah Clean Energy (Utah)
  • Xcel Energy (Minnesota)
  • Xcel Energy (Colorado)

Energy used in commercial and residential buildings accounts for one-third of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. An EPA study last fall estimated that these same buildings have the potential to cut their emissions by up to 63% by 2030 and up to 70% by 2035. By encouraging efficient, electric technologies, the new ENERGY STAR NextGen certification can play an important role in achieving this goal.

Attorney General Todd Rokita and State Rep. Mike Speedy announce advisory opinion clarifying that no laws require use of preferred pronouns

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After state Rep. Mike Speedy raised the issue, Attorney General Todd Rokita this week produced an advisory opinion clarifying that neither state nor federal law requires a coworker to use the preferred pronouns and names of fellow employees. 

An employer therefore is likely not liable in cases where staff members choose not to use new names and pronouns that are gender-nonconforming, the opinion states — provided that a reasonable person would not find the work environment to be objectively hostile. 

“Hoosier businesses should not be burdened with policing employees’ words to make sure their attitudes align with the latest, wokest fads,” Rep. Speedy said. “They face enough needless government regulations without being on the hook for enforcing politically correct views of transgenderism.” 

No federal court, Attorney General Rokita said, has found occasional use of non-preferred pronouns alone, even if intentional, to be actionable discrimination or create a hostile work environment. 

“Most Hoosiers agree that we all should extend love and compassion toward individuals beset with gender dysphoria,” Attorney General Rokita said. “Treating these individuals with respect, however, does not require us to deny basic truths, as we see them.” 

The times call for common sense, Attorney General Rokita added. 

“We must oppose the radical agendas of extremists,” Attorney General Rokita said, “who would force us all to march in lockstep with the transanity that dominates so many facets of society, from Hollywood to corporate boardrooms.” 

The advisory opinion notes that courts have left unsettled the question of how a pattern of pronoun usage in referring to another person might create a hostile working environment that potentially could give rise to an action under Title VII — which is part of the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964 that prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex and national origin. 

EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT

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EPD

 

EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT

 

FOOTNOTE: EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT information was provided by the EPD and posted by the City-County-County Observer without opinion, bias, or editing.

Softball opens MVC Championship on Wednesday

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UE faces Drake at 4 p.m.

 

NORMAL, Ill. – Entering the 2024 Missouri Valley Conference Softball Championship as the #10 seed, the University of Evansville softball team opens the tournament on Wednesday against 7th-seeded Drake.  Game time is set for 4 p.m. CT at Marian Kneer Stadium in Normal, Ill. with ESPN+ having the coverage.

Last Time Out

– In the final weekend of the regular season, the Purple Aces were in Normal to face Illinois State with the Redbirds taking the three games by a combined five runs

– Jess Willsey paced the team batting 444 with four hits in nine at-bats along with two RBI

– Lacy Smith recorded her first home run of the season in the weekend finale

Another Strong Weekend

– Finishing the Illinois State series batting .444, Jess Willsey led the Aces and season average at .291, its highest mark since March 29

– Over the last nine games, she is batting .414 with 12 hits in 29 at-bats

– Willsey recorded four hits in 11 plate appearances against Missouri State

Providing a Spark

– Freshman Niki Bode has been unbelievable when given the opportunity against MVC opponents, batting .455 with five hits in 11 at-bats while adding a home run, three RBI and three runs scored

– Bode added another pinch hit at Illinois State and has come through in three of her last five pinch hit opportunities

Finishing Strong

– Hannah Hood picked up three hits in eight at-bats against Missouri State to continue a strong finish to her 5th campaign at UE

– Over her last eight games, Hood is batting .471 with eight hits in 17 trips to the plate

– She picked up the game-winning hit in the 8th inning of the series opener against Murray State before going 1-3 in the second contest

Big Hits

– Jenna Nink was responsible for one of the top moments of the season for the Aces as she belted a 3-run walk-off home run in the April 26 win over Missouri State

– With UE trailing by a 5-3 score entering the bottom of the seventh, she picked up the game-winner with two outs to seal the win

– Nink leads the team with 25 RBI and has a hit in 12 of the last 18 games

Petrova completes second day in East Lansing

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 Final round set for Wednesday

 EAST LANSING, Mich. – Round two of the NCAA Division I East Lansing Regional saw University of Evansville golfer Kate Petrova post a 6-over 78 at Forest Akers West Golf Course.

With a 2-round tally of 148, Petrova is tied for 37th place heading into Wednesday’s final 18 holes.  On Monday, she opened the tournament with a 2-under 70 to rank in a tie for 4th place.

Bailey Shoemaker of USC continues to lead the individual standings with a score of 136.  She heads into the final day with a 1-stroke lead over Lauren Beaudreau of Notre Dame.

USC continues to pace the team standings with a 570.  They are two in front of Northwestern and three on top of Pepperdine.

Special Beyond Books: Author Dani Girten Visits WPL

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Join us for an enchanting journey into the world of ‘Bella’s Big Heart’ and other captivating tales crafted by Dani Girten. Immerse yourself in heartwarming narratives and discover the magic of storytelling as Dani shares her insights on the journey to publishing a book.

 

Event Details:

Date: Tuesday, May 14, 2024

Time: 4PM

Location: Browning Gallery (lower level)

 

This event is perfect for the whole family! Don’t miss the opportunity to have your copy of ‘Bella’s Big Heart’ signed by the author herself and indulge in an afternoon of inspiration and creativity.

 

Admission is free and open to all, so bring your friends and family for an unforgettable experience!

 

For more information, visit our website.

 

Vincennes University Alumni Association seeks 2024 Davis Citation for Service Award nominations

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VINCENNES, Ind., May 7, 2024 – The Vincennes University Alumni Association is accepting nominations for the 2024 Walter A. Davis Memorial Citation for Service Award.

The Walter A. Davis nominee should be a member of the greater VU Community. This award recognizes and promotes civic leadership, professional achievements, and above all outstanding community contributions.

All University alumni and friends can make nominations at any time; however, the deadline to be considered for the 2024 award nominations is Friday, June 14, 2024, at 4:30 p.m. (EDT).

Award nominations must be received by the Director of VU Alumni Engagement. Late or incomplete nominations will be considered for the 2025 award.

Complete nomination forms online at www.vinu.edu/davis-dinner. The nomination form should be accompanied by at least four (4) letters of recommendation, one from the nominator(s), and the remaining from community letters of recommendation, as well as other supporting materials such as a resume, news articles, etc. Supporting materials may be dropped off at the VU Alumni Association in the Louie O. Dayson Center, faxed to 812-888-5942, or emailed to vualumni@vinu.edu.

For more information or questions, contact Director of Alumni Engagement Aaron Selby at 812-888-5332 or cselby@vinu.edu. 

Vanderburgh County Arrest Warrants

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Vanderburgh County Arrest Warrants

Vanderburgh County Recent Booking Records

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Booked Last 24 Hours-Public

Here’s what to know about casting a ballot in the Indiana primary election

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Here’s what to know about casting a ballot in the Indiana primary election

  • By The Indiana Citizen

  • Primary election day in Indiana is Tuesday when eligible voters can go to their local polling place and cast a ballot for the candidates of their choice.

    Below are some answers to last-minute questions you may have about the who, what, when, where and how of voting to ensure you are prepared.

    Am I eligible to vote?

    To vote in Indiana, you must:

    • Be a U.S. citizen and resident of the state.
    • Be registered to vote.
    • Be at least 18 years old by the Nov. 5, 2024, general election.
    • Have lived in the precinct where you will vote for at least 30 days.
    • Not be currently in prison after being convicted of a crime.

     

    Am I registered?

    The deadline to register for the primary was April 8, so individuals who did not register by that date will not be able to vote on Tuesday.

    To check your registration status, visit the Indiana secretary of state’s voter portal.

    When can I vote?

    Polls will open at 6 a.m. and close at 6 p.m. Anyone already in line or in the process of voting when the polls close will still be allowed to vote.

    Where do I vote?

    Polling locations can be found by checking the Indiana Secretary of state’s voter portal.

    On the home page, go to the section entitled “Voting Location,” where you can click a button to enter your first and last name, date of birth and county where you are registered to vote. The site then lets you know if your voting status is active and provides a list of polling sites.

    I recently moved. Where do I vote?

    If you have moved less than 30 days before the election, you may vote at your old precinct.

    I have mobility issues. Are the polls accessible?

    Yes. Under the federal Help America Vote Act of 2002, polling places must be physically accessible, and at least one voting machine must accommodate voters with disabilities. Also, voters who require assistance may ask a poll worker for help or designate a relative or friend to help them at the polling place.

    What kind of ID do I need to vote?

    You must present a government-issued ID that includes your name and photo. Also, it must have an expiration date but still be current.

    If you do not have a valid photo ID, you can obtain one free of charge at the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. The branches will be open for extended hours on Monday, from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., and on Tuesday, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

    For more information and to see the documentation you will need to bring with you to get the ID, visit the BMV’s website.

    Can I still vote if I don’t have the required photo ID or if my voter eligibility has been challenged?

    Yes, you can cast a provisional ballot at the polling place and a poll worker can explain the process. The provisional ballot will be kept separate from other ballots cast.

    After the election, the county election board will decide whether you were qualified to vote in that precinct and whether your ballot will be counted. If you were missing the required photo ID, you will have up to 10 days after the election to follow up with the county election board to provide the necessary documentation or prove that one of the photo ID law’s exemptions applies to you.

    Who is on my ballot?

    You can see the candidates on your ballot and learn about their backgrounds and positions by visiting The Indiana Citizen’s virtual ballot.

    What if I have questions on primary day?

    Help is available at 866-OUR-VOTE.

    Staffed by legal volunteers who have been trained by the Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights, this nonpartisan Election Protection hotline will be available to answer voters’ questions on Tuesday. Also, volunteers trained by Common Cause Indiana will be available at polling locations across central Indiana.

    Hoosiers can call the hotline with any questions or issues, according to Ami Gandhi, director of the Midwest Voting Rights Program at CLCCR. The main priority of the Election Protection program is to ensure that all eligible voters are able to cast their votes, she said.

    Hotlines for non-English speakers:

    Spanish/English: 888-VE-Y-VOTA

    Arabic/English: 844-YALLA-US

    Asian Languages/English: 888-API-VOTE

    FOOTNOTE: This article was published by TheStatehouseFile.com through a partnership with The Indiana Citizen, a nonpartisan, nonprofit platform dedicated to increasing the number of informed, engaged Hoosier citizens.

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