Today marks High Performance Buildings Week, and ASHRAE is helping to celebrate. According to ASHRAE, high performance buildings play a central role in solving some of the nation’s most pressing challenges. Members of the High Performance Building Coalition work with members of Congress during High Performance Building Week to expand awareness of the importance of high performance buildings.
The theme of the week is “Challenges and Solutions for Improving Resiliency, Workforce Development, Energy, and Water Efficiency.” The event takes place June 13-17, 2016, in Washington.
“People spend about 90% of their time indoors, and buildings are the single largest consumer of energy and water in the United States,” said Dain Hansen, chair of the High Performance Building Coalition. “As a result, the built environment has a huge impact on virtually all aspects of American life and national security, yet few have a thorough understanding of this complex industry. High Performance Building Week, celebrated in 2016 from June 13 to 17, provides a unique and important opportunity for members of the building community to organize and focus their efforts on educational talks with policymakers on the challenges of the building industry and the many benefits of high performance buildings. In the past, dialogue generated during High Performance Building Week events has resulted in the development and passage of innovative legislation that addresses resiliency, workforce development, energy and water efficiency needs.”
To RSVP for any of the week’s events, go to http://hpbccc.squarespace.com/events.
Monday, June 13, noon-1 p.m., 122 Cannon House Office Building
Congressional Luncheon Briefing — Federal Engagement in Efficiency Standards
Energy Efficiency Standardization Coordination Collaborative (EESCC) published a strategic roadmap detailing the standards and conformity assessment programs needed to enable a more energy- and water-efficient built environment. Developed by over 160 public and private sector experts from more than 50 member organizations and four federal agencies, the roadmap established a national framework to which U.S. industry, government, standards developing organizations, and others can look to enable greater energy and water efficiency capabilities for the nation’s buildings.
Tuesday, June 14, Noon-1 p.m., B369 Rayburn House Office Building
Congressional Luncheon Briefing — OMB A-119 – The U.S. Government’s Standards Policy – A Prime Example of Congress and the Executive Branch Working Together
Since 1982, the Federal government has followed an Office of Management and Budget (OMB) policy of encouraging Federal agencies to use voluntary consensus standards developed in the private sector, in place of government unique standards and specifications. In 1996, Congress enacted legislation to make sure the policy continued and the benefits would not be lost with changes in the Executive branch. These two complimentary actions, and the updates to the original OMB A-119 circular, have created a system of governmental use of standards developed in the private sector that saves taxpayers money, improves program results and regulatory compliance, and supports international trade and competitiveness. The panel will describe the current system and the benefits it delivers for taxpayers, the U.S. economy, and federal programs.
Tuesday, June 14, 5-7 p.m. | United States Capitol Visitor Center (HVC-200)
Congressional Reception
Welcoming remarks by High Performance Building Congressional Caucus Co-Chairs Representatives David McKinley (R-WV-1) and Peter Welch (D-VT-At Large) (invited)
RSVP Required: http://hpbccc.squarespace.com/events/
(Please RSVP by 3 p.m. on Monday, June 13)
Wednesday, June 15, 12:30-1:30 p.m., 2103 Rayburn House Office Building
Congressional Luncheon Briefing — Meeting State and Local Demand for High Performance Green Residential and Commercial Buildings
Around the country, states and cities are calling for high performance green residential and commercial buildings. But what exactly are high performance buildings, why is there a demand, what tools are available to meet this demand, what challenges exist, and how can Congress help? Presentations will be made from experts on cutting-edge trends in the building industry.
Thursday, June 16, noon-1 p.m., 2253 Rayburn House Office Building
Congressional Luncheon Briefing — Achieving a High-Performance Built Environment: Findings and Recommendations from the Consultative Council
The U.S. building industry is a dynamic and evolving industry and the challenges it faces have significant implications for the nation’s economy and citizens. Each year, the National Institute of Building Sciences, through its Consultative Council, brings together key stakeholders from across the industry to examine the challenges and opportunities before both the industry and the nation. This briefing will provide insight from the Council’s 2015 report and focus on assuring a strong building industry workforce, advancing community resilience, and assuring policies and regulations support the cost effective achievement of a high-performance built environment.
More information can be found at www.hpbccc.org.
