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Congressional Briefings ArchivesSelect Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming Hearing Building Green, Saving Green: Construction Sustainable and Energy-Efficient Buildings
Building Energy Codes are a key tool in reducing the two-fifths of U.S. energy use and of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions that are due to buildings, and thus are a key part of our national energy policy. While codes are set by state and local governments, they rely on assistance from national organizations and DOE. In the past, codes have changed incrementally. But ASHRAE, which sets the model standard for commercial buildings, has adopted a goal of 30% energy savings in its next edition. DOE is supporting a 30% improvement in the codes for both homes and commercial buildings. And an important provision in the Lieberman-Warner Climate Security Act would set national targets for code improvements of 30% savings by 2010 and 50% savings by 2020. If fully implemented, such improvements could avoid 6 billion tons of carbon dioxide emissions through 2050. Wednesday, April 30 2008
The Role of Standards in Our Economy: Energy Efficiency and Safety in Our Buildings Consensus-driven, standards have become key to making markets work efficiently, and are essential to both a sound national economy and to the facilitation of global commerce. The U.S. standards system is a demand-driven process in which standards are developed in response to specific concerns and needs expressed by industry, government, and consumers. The U.S. standardization infrastructure reflects a basic national belief that society will benefit and innovation and creativity will flourish in a system that is free from centralized government control but strengthened through essential governmental participation. It is an excellent example of how a strong, dynamic partnership between government and the private sector can help the nation achieve its economic and societal goals. The event featured a discussion on the role of standards and model codes in the energy efficiency, safety, accessibility and security of our buildings. December 4, 2007 Welcome Congressman Dennis Moore Standards Development: A Consensus Process to Benefit Society Achieving Energy Efficiency in the Built Environment through Standards The Nexus between Standards and Government
September 20, 2007 To celebrate the signing into law of the America COMPETES Act of 2007 … and to thank Members of Congress, their staff, and supporters in the Executive Branch for their successful bipartisan efforts in passing this landmark authorizing legislation for science research, education, and innovation. The bill focuses on three primary areas of importance to maintaining and improving U.S. innovation in the 21st Century: (1) increasing research investment, (2) strengthening educational opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics from elementary through graduate school, and (3) developing an innovation infrastructure. It is a legislative response to recommendations contained in the National Academies’ “Rising Above the Gathering Storm” report and the Council on Competitiveness’ “Innovate America” report.
NIST: Supporting Industry and Promoting Technology
June 22, 2007 Sponsored by ASHRAE, ASME, IEEE-USA, ACS, ASTRA, and ASTM Welcome/Brief Overview: Chairman David Wu (D-OR), Ranking Member Phil Gingrey (R-GA) House Science and Technology Committee Subcommittee on Standards and Technology Planning for the Future Success of U.S. Industry Laboratories: Providing State of the Art Facilities and Technology to the Research Community Public/Private Partnership: High Risk Technologies
The State’s Role in a Technology Economy With publication of The World is Flat and Rising Above the Gathering Storm, there has been increased focus on the issue of competitiveness and the importance of innovation in a technology economy. Much of that attention, however, has centered on the role of the federal government. Whether it is funding higher education, supporting programs to assist entrepreneurs, or encouraging technology commercialization, the states play a critical role in today’s technology economy. In this briefing, we’ll explore the role the states are playing and can play in a technology economy. June 7, 2007 Sponsored by ASHRAE, ASME, IEEE-USA, ASCE, SSTI in conjunction with the Congressional Research and Development (R&D) Caucus Welcome: Robert Atkinson, President, Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, The Honorable Judy Biggert (R-IL), Co-Chair, House Research & Development Caucus
Michael Cassidy, President, Georgia Research Alliance Pennsylvania TechFormation: Strategies for a Technology Economy Rebecca Bagley, Deputy Secretary for Technology Investment, Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development
Briefing on Energy Efficient Buildings: Opportunities to Limit Greenhouse Gas Emissions
March 26, 2007 Welcome: Representative Judy Biggert
This event was sponsored by ASHRAE Briefing on Tax Incentives for Energy Efficient Commercial Buildings Energy efficiency is critical for the economy, the environment and energy security. In the U.S., commercial buildings account for about 20 percent of total primary energy use. Heating, ventilation, air conditioning, refrigeration (HVAC&R) and water heating are responsible for about 64 percent of commercial building site energy use. Encouraging greater energy efficiency in buildings through tax incentives and other means can help reduce the nation’s dependence on foreign sources of energy, reduce the emission of greenhouse gases and other pollutants, and build the economy through the development of new technologies and decreases in energy related expenses. In this briefing, panelists will speak on the importance of energy efficient buildings, the role tax incentives serve in promoting increased efficiency, and the role of U.S. manufacturing in meeting efficiency goals. December 7, 2006 Welcome: Representative Bart Gordon
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More Energy Efficient Buildings – One Approach to Saving Money and the Planet 
