IV 111th CONGRESS 1st Session H. RES. 389 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES April 30, 2009 Mrs. Halvorson submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce RESOLUTION Encouraging energy efficient and environment-friendly building and facility certification programs to incorporate the use of mechanical insulation as part of their standards and ratings system.

Whereas mechanical insulation is defined to encompass all thermal, acoustical, and personnel safety requirements in mechanical piping and equipment, hot and cold applications, and Heating, Venting & Air Conditioning (HVAC) applications which can be used in a variety of buildings such as manufacturing facilities, power plants, refineries, hospitals, universities, government buildings, and other facilities; Whereas buildings are responsible for 40 percent of United States energy demand and 40 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions; Whereas methodically and properly installed mechanical insulation provides long-term energy efficiency, emission reduction, cost savings, and safety benefits, and can be used to reduce the number of tons of greenhouse gas emissions that could be prevented from release into the atmosphere, prevent loss of energy, control condensation, depending on the thickness of the insulation, protect occupant safety and public health wellness, and regulate surface temperature; Whereas combined, buildings used in commercial and industrial sectors consume 2.5 times more energy than residential buildings, according to Annual Energy Outlook provided by the Energy Information Administration in December 2008; Whereas loss of energy can increase the temperature within a facility or area, putting additional stress on other equipment and building infrastructure and reducing that equipment’s performance and life expectancy; and Whereas according to the National Insulation Association, maintenance of mechanical insulation at industrial facilities alone can generate more than $3,600,000,000 in energy savings per year, reduce 37,000,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emission, and create more than 27,000 jobs annually: Now, therefore, be it

That the House of Representatives encourages energy efficient and environment-friendly building and facility certification programs to incorporate the use of mechanical insulation as part of their standards and ratings system.