ASHRAE Government Affairs Update, 10/17/2014
Posted by admin on Oct. 17, 2014 / Government Affairs / Subscribe 0
Federal Activities
For additional information on federal issues, please contact Mark Ames, ASHRAE's Senior Manager of Federal Government Affairs, at [email protected].
Congressional Negotiations Ongoing for National Defense Authorization Act
Although Members of Congress are working back in their Districts and states until after the November elections, the gears of policymaking continue turning here in Washington, DC. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has been particularly active, as seen in the many proposed rules and requests for information issued in the past few weeks, which are discussed later in this edition of the Update.
On the Congressional side, staff from the House and Senate have begun meeting to discuss what specific provisions the final version of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2015 will include. The House passed its version of the NDAA in May, and the Senate will pass its version in November or December. A Conference Committee of leaders from both chambers will then meet to craft a final bill - the conference report - that reflects negotiations between the House and Senate versions, and will be voted on by the House and Senate and then presented to the President, who is expected to sign it into law. The pre-conference discussions now being engaged in by congressional staff will help speed talks during the formal conference.
Background on the NDAA FY 2015, including reference in the Senate version to ICC 700 National Green Building Standard, is available here.
DOE Issues Final Rule on the Federal Gov’t Use of Green Building Rating Systems
The U.S. Department of Energy DOE has issued a final rule on green building certification systems for federal buildings. The ruling provides flexibility for federal agencies that use a green building certification system for a new building or major renovation. Included in the ruling are criteria that these systems must meet. Among these criteria is a new requirement for a post-occupancy assessment of energy and water savings for the rating buildings to be conducted at least every four years after initial occupancy.
Under the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, DOE is required to identify a green building certification system and level that will be used by federal agencies. DOE's determination must be based on the U.S. General Service Administration (GSA) review of third-party green building certification systems levels, and criteria.
The ruling applies to certain new federal buildings and major renovations to federal buildings for which design for construction began on or after October 14, 2015.
The full rule can be viewed here.
ASHRAE previously submitted comments on this rulemaking. For additional information, please contact Mark Ames, ASHRAE's Senior Manager of Federal Government Affairs, at [email protected] or 202-833-1830.
ASHRAE Standards Discussed in Proposed Rule on Fossil Fuel-Generated Energy Consumption Reduction for New Federal Buildings and Major Renovations of Federal Buildings
ASHRAE Standards 90.1, 189.1, 100, and Advanced Energy Design Guides are all discussed in a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking by DOE on fossil fuel-generated energy consumption reduction for new federal buildings and major renovations of federal buildings. In this rulemaking, DOE responds to previous comments received, and seeks additional comments and approaches for fossil fuel-generated energy consumption reduction for federal buildings.
ASHRAE is currently considering submitting official comments.
The rulemaking can be found here.
DOE Issues Request for Information on Planning for 2017 Solar Decathlon
DOE is seeking information that will inform the design, planning, and implementation of the 2017 Solar Decathlon. The Solar Decathlon brings together collegiate teams that design, build, and operate solar-powered homes. These often innovative homes are displayed to the public, free of charge, and provide college students with unique hands-on training and experience, while educating the public on buildings-related issues.
ASHRAE has long-standing involvement with the Decathlon both at the Society-level and through Chapters and Student Branches.
The request for information is available here.
Public Comment Sought for DOE Draft Document on Buildings-to-Grid Integration and Related Areas of Research
The U.S. Department of Energy is seeking public comment on a new draft document entitled "Transaction-Based Building Controls Framework, Volume I: Reference Guide". Comments are due by November 10, 2014. The full notice can be found here.
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].
NIST Releases New Online Tool Featuring 90.1
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) recently unveiled a new online tool, BIRDS (Building Industry Reporting and Design for Sustainability). This tool allows users to compare the sustainability performance of a building type as the energy efficiency design of that building type is increased. This web-application, built on various versions of ANSI/ASHRAE/IES Standard 90.1, provides sustainability performance (energy, cost, and environmental impacts) comparisons for 11 different U.S. commercial building types. BIRDS provides the framework to take an initial building design and make comparisons across different locations, energy standard editions, and/or study periods. The comparison process has four steps:
- Select the building prototype to evaluate.
- Select baseline values and alternatives for comparison (location, standard edition, and study period).
- Select baseline and alternative weighting preferences for environmental performance.
- View results graph and data.
At this time, the tool does not include 90.1-2010 or 90.1-2013 but that is slated for addition to the site soon. To access this tool, go to http://birdscom.nist.gov/. Feedback and suggestions for additions or improvements should be provided by contacting Joshua Kneifel at [email protected].
National Engineers Week Materials Posted on GGAC Webpage
A draft cover letter and proclamation in commemoration of National Engineers Week (EWeek), scheduled for February 22-28, 2015, is now posted on the ASHRAE website. These draft documents can be used by ASHRAE Chapters with mayors, governors and other elected officials in order to highlight the importance of engineering professions and their impact on our everyday lives. Chapters are encouraged to seek these proclamations and to submit any that are issued by elected officials to the ASHRAE Government Affairs Office at [email protected].
To obtain these draft documents, please go here.
ASHRAE BOD Votes to Merge Advocacy Committee with Grassroots Government Activities Committee
The ASHRAE Board of Directors (BOD) recently voted to merge the Grassroots Government Activities (GGAC) and Advocacy Committees into one committee, effective July 1, 2015. This decision was a result of motions passed by both committees at the ASHRAE Annual Meeting in Seattle. The new committee, which is yet to be named, will incorporate all government affairs activities into one unified committee that will oversee both grassroots and grasstops action for the entire Society. This consolidation is an expansion of the grassroots effort of the past year and will be used to integrate the grassroots success on the national level with that at the state, local and provincial levels of government.
Pennsylvania House Bill 34 Moving in State Senate
Pennsylvania House Bill 34, an Act requiring the design, construction and renovation of certain state-owned or state-leased buildings to comply with specified energy and environmental building standards, began moving in the Pennsylvania State Senate last week after being tabled since June 2013. The bill, which passed the State House last year, has been re-referred to the Senate Appropriations Committee. HB34 references ANSI/ASHRAE/IES Standard 90.1 by name and alludes to other areas of interest for ASHRAE such as indoor air quality and environmental health as well as building rating systems.
The bill is not currently on the Senate Appropriations Committee calendar but with the year drawing to a close, the time for debate on this bill is limited.
To obtain additional information or names of State Senators on the Senate Appropriations Committee, please go here.
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