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ASHRAE Government Affairs Update, 8/19/2016

Posted by GGAC1 on Aug. 25, 2016  /  Subscribe 0

US Federal Legislative & Regulatory Activities

• New EERE Success Stories Map
• GSA Issues New Federal Lodging & Meal Allowances
• Draft Rule on Payment in Kind for Federal Speakers at Meetings & Similar Events Released by GSA
• DOE Proposes Rule on Test Procedures for Walk-in Coolers & Freezers that Incorporates ASHRAE Standard 23.1-2010
• Comment Period Reopened for DOE Rulemaking on Energy Conservation Standards for Portable Air Conditioners
• HUD Seeks Comments on Building Energy Benchmarking Data Collection Proposal

GGAC Regional and Chapter Activities

• California Schedules Public Hearing on Greenhouse Gas Emissions
• Florida Gives Notice of Reduction in PE Licensure Fees
• Texas to Update Energy Codes
• Colorado Proposes Updates to Public School Capital Construction Guidelines
• Virginia Withdraws Notice of Regulatory Action on Certified Home Inspectors
• EWeek 2017
• Toolkits Available for Chapter Use
• Legislative Calendar for US States and Territories 2017

US Federal Legislative & Regulatory Activities

For additional information on Federal legislative and regulatory issues, please contact Mark Ames, ASHRAE’s Senior Manager of Federal Government Affairs, at [email protected].

New EERE Success Stories Map

DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) recently created a new interactive map highlighting success stories in the United States. The success stories feature the positive impacts of EERE's work with businesses, industry partners, universities, research labs, and other entities to increase the use and effectiveness of affordable renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies. View the map.

GSA Issues New Federal Lodging & Meal Allowances

The US General Services Administration (GSA) GSA has issued new per diem reimbursement rates for FY 2017 for lodging and meals for the Continental United States (CONUS). The CONUS lodging allowance has increased from $89 to $91; the meals and incidental rate tiers did not change. Federal employees are given the option to request a special increase from GSA if these rates are not sufficient for a given location.

These new rates will take effect on October 1, 2016, when the new Federal Fiscal Year begins. To view the full notice, please click here.

Draft Rule on Payment in Kind for Federal Speakers at Meetings & Similar Events Released by GSA

GSA has issued a new proposed regulation that would amend the Federal Travel Regulation to change the definition of “payment in kind” so that a full or partial waiver of registration fees for a single or multi-day meeting or similar function is not considered a “payment in kind” when such employees speak or participate on a panel in their official capacities.

Comments are due on or before October 14, 2016. To view the Federal Register notice please click here.

DOE Proposes Rule on Test Procedures for Walk-in Coolers & Freezers that Incorporates ASHRAE Standard 23.1-2010

The US Department of Energy (DOE) has issued a notice of proposed rulemaking on walk-in cooler and freezer components that seeks to, among other things, add clarification, and update certification and enforcement. The rule also proposed to incorporate by reference ASHRAE Standard 23.1-2010 Methods of Testing for Performance Rating Positive Displacement Refrigerant Compressors and Condensing Units That Operate at Subcritical Temperatures of the Refrigerant.

Comments are due by October 17, 2016. To view the full Federal Register notice, please click here.

Comment Period Reopened for DOE Rulemaking on Energy Conservation Standards for Portable Air Conditioners

In response to a request from the Association of Home Appliance Manufactures (AHAM), DOE has reopened its comment period for a rulemaking that proposes new energy conservation standards for portable air conditioners.

The Department of Energy will accept comments, data, and information regarding this rulemaking no later than September 26, 2016. To view the Federal Register notice, which includes a link to the underlying rulemaking, please click here.

HUD Seeks Comments on Building Energy Benchmarking Data Collection Proposal

The US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has issued a proposal that would, among other things, allow HUD to accept sampled tenant-paid utility data if whole building data are not available, to help spur the use of benchmarking as the market matures. There are many other proposals contained in the Federal Register notice, which is available here. Comments are due October 11, 2016.

GGAC Regional and Chapter Activities

For additional information on State, local, and international government affairs, please contact Jim Scarborough, ASHRAE’s Manager of Grassroots Government Affairs, at [email protected].

California Schedules Public Hearing on Greenhouse Gas Emissions

The California Regulatory Notice Register, published on August 5, 2016, gave notice that the California Air Resources Board will hold a “public hearing to consider amendments to the California Cap on Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Market-based Compliance Mechanisms Regulation.” The notice with background and effect of the proposed regulatory action can be found here.

The text of this notice runs from pages 1370-1385 in the Register. The public hearing will be held:

DATE:           Thursday, September 22, 2016

TIME:            9:00 a.m.

PLACE:         California Environmental Protection Agency

Air Resources Board

Byron Sher Auditorium

1001 I Street

Sacramento, California 95814

Interested members of the public may present comments orally or in writing at the hearing and may provide comments by postal mail or email before the hearing. Written comments not physically submitted at the hearing must be submitted on or after Friday, August 5, 2016, and received no later than 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 19, 2016. Comments should be sent to:

Postal mail:   Clerk of the Board, Air Resources Board

1001 I Street

Sacramento, California 95814

Email:            http://www.arb.ca.gov/lispub/comm/bclist.php

Florida Gives Notice of Reduction in PE Licensure Fees

The Florida Administrative Register, published on August 8, 2016, gives notice of a proposed rule amendment which reduces licensure fees and establishes fees regarding continuing education courses for Professional Engineers. To see the full notice and the new schedule of fees, go to pages five and six, found here.

Any person who wishes to provide information regarding a statement of estimated regulatory costs, or provide a proposal for a lower cost regulatory alternative must do so in writing within 21 days of this notice. At this point a public hearing has not been scheduled. If requested within 21 days of the date of this notice, a hearing will be scheduled and announced in the Register.

For information about the rule or to request a public hearing, contact:

Zana Raybon, Executive Director

Board of Professional Engineers

2639 North Monroe Street, Suite B-112

Tallahassee, FL 32303

Telephone:  (850) 521-0050

Texas to Update Energy Codes

Texas is adopting new energy codes and every municipality must update its codes accordingly. This affects architects, engineers, contractors and manufacturers throughout the State. The Construction Industry Council is preparing the COH energy code amendments. ASHRAE Member Keith Reihl, Energy Code CIC Chair, has been active in this process. For additional information, contact the Texas State Energy Conservation Office at http://seco.cpa.state.tx.us/tbec/. 

Colorado Proposes Updates to Public School Capital Construction Guidelines

The Colorado Register, published on August 10, 2016, gives notice that the Public School Capital Construction Guidelines are being amended with the latest agency oversight updates to include the Division of Fire Prevention and Control and The Department of Health and Environment. The updates also include the current design parameters for mechanical, electrical, plumbing, security and technology, as well as new references to ASHRAE Standard 62.1-2013 Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality. To view the rule, click on the first link here.

A public hearing on these updates is scheduled for September 28, 2016 at 1:00 p.m., at 201 East Colfax Street in Denver, Colorado. Questions or comments can be directed to Cheryl Honigsberg, Regional Program Manager, at 303-866-6915 or by email at [email protected]. 

Virginia Withdraws Notice of Regulatory Action on Certified Home Inspectors

The Virginia Register of Regulations, published on August 8, 2016, gives notice that the Virginia Board for Asbestos, Lead, and Home Inspectors has withdrawn notice of regulatory action on Virginia Certified Home Inspectors Regulations. To view the full but brief notice please click here.

New regulatory action will be forthcoming due to amendments to the statute made by the Virginia legislature. This new regulatory action will (i) incorporate the language from this regulatory action that establishes the new training requirements for new residential structure inspections, and (ii) include other amendments to convert the current voluntary certification program to a mandatory licensing program. New administrative rules are expected to be in place by July 1, 2017. Requests for information should be directed to:

Trisha L. Henshaw, Executive Director

Virginia Board for Asbestos, Lead, and Home Inspectors

9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 400

Richmond, VA 23233,

Telephone (804) 367-8595, Fax (804) 350-5354

Email:  [email protected]

EWeek 2017

Engineers Week (EWeek) 2017 will be held February 19-25, 2017. This year as in past years, GGAC is encouraging our Chapters to obtain proclamations from elected officials (Mayors, Legislatures, Governors, Provincial officials, etc.). Information, draft proclamations and cover letters will be posted soon on the GGAC website. Mark your calendars now and watch for more details soon.

 GGAC Toolkits Available for Chapter Use

As part of the ongoing effort to provide Chapter GGACs tools to make their job easier, the GGAC has prepared two “how-to” toolkits for the promotion of programs. Available now on our website are “Member Engagement in the State Energy Program and Weatherization Assistance Program” and “Member Engagement to Promote ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 188-2015 Legionellosis: Risk Management for Building Water Systems. These two toolkits, plus others to follow in the coming months, are intended to help guide Chapters in various government advocacy initiatives on a step-by-step basis. To access these toolkits, go to the “GGAC Toolkits and Presentations” section found at the website located here.

Legislative Calendar for US States and Territories 2017

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