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A 328-Foot 3D Printer, Nuclear-Powered AI, and the Fight Over America's Data Centers

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This week on Green Builder Media's Sustainable Building News, we explore the growing backlash against data centers, including Google's Project Skyway data center, Arizona's push to streamline small modular nuclear reactors for data center power and kneecap residents’ ability to use zoning laws to block data centers, and a construction technology breakthrough that could transform how buildings are built.

We also cover major changes to federal home energy rebates, new resources for homeowners seeking efficiency incentives, wildfire resilience standards that now extend beyond individual homes, and what the 2026 FIFA World Cup may reveal about housing markets and sustainability.

In this episode: 


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Hey everyone, I'm Ronan, and here's what's happening this week in housing, sustainability, and building science. Australian construction technology company Lighton has available to call it the world's first tower crane 3D construction printer, a system capable of building concrete structures up to 328 feet tall. The technology transforms a traditional tower crane into a robotic construction system that prints concrete directly from digital designs. The printer can operate within a 148-foot radius and be installed on a job site in just one to two days. The company also uses AI to optimize print paths and moderate construction progress in real time. While widespread adoption is still likely years away, the announcement offers a glimpse of where construction may be headed. Buildings that move from digital model to physical structure with far less labor and material waste. And, if nothing else, it's one of the coolest construction videos you'll see this week. Hit the notes for the link. Homeowners hoping to use federal rebates to switch from gas appliances to electric ones may be out of luck. The Department of Energy has issued new guidance that prevents states from using Inflation Reduction Act rebate funds for what's known as fuel switching, replacing gas-powered appliances like stoves, water heaters, furnaces, and dryers with electric alternatives. The change affects roughly $8.8 billion in federal home energy rebate funding. Homeowners can still receive incentives to upgrade existing electric equipment to more efficient electric models, but replacing gas appliances with electric versions would no longer qualify. This move can make it harder for homeowners, particularly in rural areas, to lower energy costs by moving away from expensive fuels like propane. The good news is that the rebate programs are moving forward again after months of uncertainty, although some states may now need to revise their programs, creating new delays for homeowners and contractors hoping to take advantage of the incentives. Speaking of rebates and incentives, a new article published by Green Builder Magazine details the many rebates, financing programs, and incentives that are still available to homeowners looking to improve their home's efficiency. The article highlights programs offered by utilities, state energy offices, manufacturers, and contractors that can help offset the cost of upgrades like heat pumps, insulation, air sealing, solar systems, and heat pump water heaters. Experts interviewed for the story say one of the biggest mistakes homeowners make is focusing on equipment first. Instead, they recommend starting with a home energy assessment and addressing air leaks, insulation gaps, and duct issues before investing in new technology. The article also points readers to several searchable databases, including Rewiring America, Desire, Energy Stars Rebate Finder, and State Energy Office resources that can help homeowners uncover incentives that they may not know exist. You can find the full article in our show notes. A Minnesota judge has temporarily halted construction of Google's proposed Project Skyway data center campus after environmental groups challenged the review process. The 482-acre project would include at least 100 acres of data center development and is expected to be powered by Excel Energy. The ruling doesn't kill the project, but it does spotlight a growing issue we're seeing across the country. As tech companies race to build the infrastructure needed for AI and cloud computing, communities are increasingly asking tough questions about environmental impacts, energy demand, water use, and local oversight. It's the latest example of a broader trend. From Reno to Minnesota, data centers are becoming one of the most contested forms of development in America. In a related story, there's a new wrinkle in data center development on the horizon. Arizona lawmakers are considering a controversial proposal that make it easier to build small modular nuclear reactors in rural parts of the state, particularly near former coal plants and large energy users like data centers. Critics of the idea argue that Arizona should be investing more heavily in renewable energy sources rather than expanding nuclear development. They also point out that while new reactors may address electricity demand, they don't eliminate heavy water use. The proposal has also sparked debate over local control, since it would limit the ability of most rural counties to use zoning regulations to block new reactor projects. As you've probably seen in the mainstream press, communities frequently use zoning to block data centers so they can review the development or get concessions and agreements from developers. This is one of the first laws being considered that tries to squash that zoning tool. Hosting the World Cup may be about more than soccer. A new analysis compiled by NS Global found that home prices across the 16 cities selected to host matches for the 2026 FIFA World Cup have risen by an average of 44% since the tournament was awarded in 2018. The biggest US gains were seen in Miami, with a 71% increase, followed by Kansas City at 66%. In related news, 13 of the 16 stadiums for the World Cup have earned LEED certification, with two more expected to follow. But scientists warned that this World Cup will be the most polluting to date, largely due to increased air travel. In the latest episode of the Impact series, Mike Calligan sits down with Utah State University professor Kelly Cop to explore the complex relationship between water conservation, landscapes, and the future of our communities. Cop takes on one of sustainability's most controversial debates: whether ripping out lawns is actually the best way to save water. The conversation also dives into smart irrigation technology, the future of water use in the West, the Colorado River crisis, and what communities can do right now to reduce water consumption without sacrificing livability. Find the full conversation on the Green Builder Media Network. Here's a quick clip.

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And so I guess my point is just that it's all hands on deck, no question, with the Colorado River issues. And we all must reduce our water use. And I put myself squarely in that camp as well. I've been replacing toilets. I've transitioned, uh I took all the turf out of my front yard, by the way. Shopping. Yes, I did. Yes, I did. And I transitioned the turf I still have in my backyard to low water use turf because I am absolutely going to do the best I can to help this state and this region save water. We all need to be doing that, but we need to be doing it in ways that actually work. I I it's kind of mean, but I'll put it this way. Do you want to actually save water or do you want just want to say that you're trying to save water? Because I actually want to save water. And so I am about programs that help people do that for sure.

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The American Society of Civil Engineers says a new federal rule proposal would give political appointees greater influence over federal grant decisions, while reducing the role of traditional peer review. Critics argue the change could affect research related to infrastructure, water systems, energy, resilience, and other areas that shape how communities are built and maintained. The proposal is still under review, but engineering and scientific groups are already warning that it could have long-term implications for innovation and infrastructure development. The Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety, or IBHS, has expanded its wildfire prepared program to include standards for entire neighborhoods and multifamily communities. The updated program introduces new essential and enhanced designation levels for multifamily properties, while also formalizing a neighborhood-wide framework that was previously piloted with Builder KB Home in California. IBHS also updated its requirements for single-family homes, including revised guidance on landscaping, vegetation management, decks, and other features that can influence how a fire spreads. The Wildfire Prepared program is currently available in 14 states across the West and Southwest. Click the link in the show notes to learn more. Speaking of fire resilience, our editor's Project of the Week addresses fire resistance. FirePoint introduced a 10-foot OSB, a fire resistant structural sheathing solution that provides up to 90 minutes of fire resistance when used in wall assemblies, exceeding code by 50% or more. The larger panel is also intended to help builders work more efficiently by reducing seams and speeding installation on taller wall assemblies. Green Builder Media's next webinar is about a very timely topic. Sam Rashkin will present the housing affordability crisis is worse than you think on Wednesday, June 24th at 2 p.m. Eastern Time. It's not as much of a bummer as the title suggests. In fact, it will address what builders can do today and smarter strategies for home buyers. Click the link in the show notes to register. That's the news for this week. Don't forget to check out all the industry events highlighted in the show description. There's some great ones. Please like, share, and subscribe to our pod, and I'll see you next week.

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