[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 84 (Monday, June 8, 2009)]
[House]
[Pages H6275-H6277]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               SUPPORTING HIGH-PERFORMANCE BUILDING WEEK

  Mr. BAIRD. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the resolution (H. Res. 492) supporting the goals and ideals of High-
Performance Building Week.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 492

       Whereas the High-Performance Buildings Congressional Caucus 
     Coalition has declared the week of June 15 through June 19, 
     2009, as ``High-Performance Building Week'';
       Whereas the House of Representatives has recognized the 
     importance of high-performance buildings through the 
     inclusion of a definition of high-performance buildings in 
     the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007;
       Whereas our homes, offices, schools, and other buildings 
     consume 40 percent of the primary energy and 70 percent of 
     the electricity in the United States annually;
       Whereas buildings consume about 12 percent of the potable 
     water in this country;
       Whereas the construction of buildings and their related 
     infrastructure consume approximately 60 percent of all raw 
     materials used in the United States economy;
       Whereas buildings account for 39 percent of United States 
     carbon dioxide emissions a year approximately equaling the 
     combined carbon emissions of Japan, France, and the United 
     Kingdom;
       Whereas Americans spend about 90 percent of their time 
     indoors;
       Whereas poor indoor environmental quality is detrimental to 
     the health of all Americans, especially our children and 
     elderly;
       Whereas high-performance buildings promote higher student 
     achievement by providing better lighting, a more comfortable 
     indoor environment, and improved ventilation and indoor air 
     quality;
       Whereas high-performance residential and commercial 
     building design and construction should effectively guard 
     against natural and human caused events and disasters, 
     including fire, water, wind, noise, crime, and terrorism;
       Whereas high-performance buildings, which address human, 
     environmental, economic, and total societal impact, result 
     from the application of the highest level of design, 
     construction, operation, and maintenance principles--a 
     paradigm change for the built environment; and
       Whereas the United States should continue to improve the 
     features of new buildings, and adapt and maintain existing 
     buildings, to changing balances in our needs and 
     responsibilities for health, safety, energy efficiency, and 
     usability by all segments of society: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) supports the goals and ideals of High-Performance 
     Building Week;
       (2) recognizes and reaffirms our Nation's commitment to 
     High-Performance Buildings by promoting awareness about their 
     benefits and by promoting new education programs, supporting 
     research, and expanding access to information;
       (3) recognizes the unique role that the Department of 
     Energy plays through the Office of Energy Efficiency and 
     Renewable Energy's Building Technologies Program, which works 
     closely with the building industry and manufacturers to 
     conduct research and development on technologies and 
     practices for building energy efficiency;

[[Page H6276]]

       (4) recognizes the important role that the National 
     Institute of Standards and Technology plays in developing the 
     measurement science needed to develop, test, integrate, and 
     demonstrate the new building technologies; and
       (5) encourages further research and development of high-
     performance building standards, research, and development.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Washington (Mr. Baird) and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Olson) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Washington.


                             General Leave

  Mr. BAIRD. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to 
include extraneous material on H. Res. 492, the resolution now under 
consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Washington?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. BAIRD. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I'm pleased the House is considering H. Res. 492, a resolution 
supporting the goals and ideals of High-Performance Building Week, 
which is next week, June 15 through June 19. I would like to thank my 
good friend from Missouri, Congressman Russ Carnahan, and our colleague 
Judy Biggert from Illinois for their leadership on this important issue 
and for their outstanding work as the cochairs of the High-Performance 
Buildings Caucus.
  Buildings consume 40 percent of the energy in the United States. This 
is more energy than any other sector of the economy. Deployment of 
high-performance buildings can reduce energy consumption and greenhouse 
gas emissions. As chairman of the Subcommittee on Energy and 
Environment of the Science and Technology Committee, I recognize the 
importance of energy efficiency and sustainability in the building 
sector.
  On April 28 of this year, we held a hearing entitled Pushing the 
Efficiency Envelope: R&D for High-Performance Buildings. I am happy to 
report that we are working on legislation to address several important 
issues identified at this hearing.
  H. Res. 492 creates a greater public awareness about high-performance 
buildings and recognizes the need to continue research and development 
for innovative energy-efficient technologies.
  I urge all Members to support H. Res. 492.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. OLSON. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of House Resolution 492, 
supporting the goals and ideals of High-Performance Building Week, and 
I yield myself as much time as I will consume.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 492, supporting the 
goals and ideals of High-Performance Building Week. I would first like 
to thank the Congressional High-Performance Building Caucus cochairs, 
Russ Carnahan and Judy Biggert for their work on this important issue 
and for bringing awareness to the Congress and the public on the 
importance and benefits of high-performance buildings.
  This resolution declares the week of June 15 through June 19, 2009, 
as High-Performance Building Week. According to the Energy Independence 
and Security Act of 2007, a high-performance building is defined as a 
building that integrates and optimizes on a life-cycle basis all major 
high-performance attributes including energy conservation, environment, 
safety, security, durability, accessibility, cost-benefit productivity, 
sustainability, functionality, and operational considerations.
  It is important to focus on making our buildings high-performance 
buildings for many reasons, some of which are that our homes, offices, 
schools, and other buildings consume 40 percent of the primary energy 
and 70 percent of the electricity used in the United States annually; 
that buildings consume about 12 percent of the potable water in this 
country; and that construction of buildings and the related 
infrastructure consume approximately 60 percent of all raw materials 
used in the United States economy. Madam Speaker, I could go on, but I 
think you get the point.
  There are a lot of efficiencies to be gained by focusing on high-
performance buildings, and the benefits to our society are great. 
Again, I commend cochairs Carnahan and Biggert for their leadership and 
hope that my colleagues will see the value that awareness of the 
benefits of the high-performance buildings will bring and support this 
resolution.
  With that, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. BAIRD. I have no speakers at this time. I reserve the balance of 
my time.
  Mr. OLSON. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlelady from 
Illinois (Mrs. Biggert).
  Mrs. BIGGERT. I thank the gentleman for yielding.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 492 and urge my 
colleagues to support its passage.
  As a member of the Science and Technology Committee and as cochair of 
the High-Performance Buildings Caucus, I'm delighted to join my 
colleague and caucus cochair, Congressman Russ Carnahan, to recognize 
June 15 through June 19 as High-Performance Building Week.
  By definition, a high-performance building is one that utilizes the 
highest design, construction, operation, and maintenance principles to 
address human, economic, environmental, and societal needs. Based on 
section 914 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, that definition is a 
result of significant industry and standards collaboration. Building on 
that coordinated effort, Representative Carnahan and I formed the High-
Performance Buildings Caucus last year. We wanted to heighten awareness 
and inform policymakers about the major impact buildings have on our 
health, safety, and environment. Through monthly briefings, we explore 
the opportunities to design, construct, and operate high-performance 
buildings that reflect our concern for these impacts.
  As the resolution states, the built environment in our country has a 
tremendous impact on our lives. Buildings consume 40 percent of the 
energy in the United States while emitting 39 percent of U.S. carbon 
dioxide emissions. Perhaps a more surprising statistic is that 
Americans average 90 percent of their time indoors. With that in mind, 
new building construction and sustainability of our current building 
inventory is more important now than ever. As we seek to use energy 
more efficiently and reduce global emissions, we also have to consider 
worker productivity in business, enhanced learning environments in 
schools, and even secure designs to prevent loss of life from 
catastrophic natural disasters. Research, design, and construction of 
high-performance buildings include these factors and more. 
Accessibility, aesthetics, historic integrity and cost-effectiveness 
must also be considered.
  Madam Speaker, we could not honor the goals and ideas of High-
Performance Building Week without thanking those groups that have 
helped us get here today. Dozens of building and standards 
organizations make up the High-Performance Buildings Congressional 
Caucus Coalition. I know that I speak for myself and my fellow caucus 
cochair when I say ``thank you'' for their help educating, researching, 
and advancing the goals of high-performance buildings.
  And with that, Madam Speaker, I would submit a list of those 
organizations to be included in the Record.

        High Performance Building Congressional Caucus Coalition


                      Executive Committee Members

       ASHRAE, The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and 
     Air-Conditioning Engineers (www.ashrae.org).
       ACCA, Air Conditioning Contractors of America 
     (www.acca.org).
       AHRI, Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute 
     (www.ahrinet.org).
       AIA, The American Institute of Architects (www.aia.org).
       ANSI, American National Standards Institute (www.ansi.org).
       BOMA, Building Owners & Managers Association International 
     (www.boma.org).
       GBI, The Green Building Initiative (www.thegbi.org).
       ICC, International Code Council (www.iccsafe.org).
       NEMA, National Electrical Mfrs Association (www.nema.org).
       NFPA, National Fire Protection Association (www.nfpa.org).
       NIBS, National Institute of Building Sciences 
     (www.nibs.org).
       SPFA, Spray Polyurethane Foam Alliance (www.sprayfoam.org).

[[Page H6277]]

       USGBC, U.S. Green Building Council (www.usgbc.org).


                           Coalition Members

       ACC, American Chemistry Council 
     (www.americanchemistry.com).
       AF&PA, American Forest & Paper Association 
     (www.afandpa.org).
       AGC, The Associated General Contractors of America 
     (www.constructionenvironment.org).
       ACEC, American Council of Engineering Companies 
     (www.acec.org).
       APWA, American Public Works Association (www.apwa.net).
       Arch 2030, Architecture 2030 (www.architecture2030.org).
       ARMA, Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association 
     (www.asphaltroofing.org).
       ASA, American Supply Association (www.asa.net).
       ASCE, American Society of Civil Engineers (www.asce.org).
       ASE, Alliance to Save Energy (www.ase.org).
       ASERTTI, Association of State Energy Research & Technology 
     Transfer Institutions (www.asertti.org).
       ASID, American Society of Interior Designers 
     (www.asid.org).
       ASLA, American Society of Landscape Architects 
     (www.asla.org).
       ASME, American Society of Mechanical Engineers 
     (www.asme.org).
       ASTM International (www.astm.org).
       BHMA, Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association 
     (www.buildershardware.com).
       CEIR, Center for Environmental Innovation in Roofing 
     (www.Roofingcenter.org).
       CLMA, Composite Lumber Manufacturers Association 
     (www.compositelumber.org).
       CRI, Carpet and Rug Institute (www.carpet-rug.org).
       Ecobuild, EcoBuild America, LLC (www.ecobuildamerica.com).
       EESI, Environmental & Energy Study Institute 
     (www.eesi.org).
       FAS, Federation of American Scientists (www.fas.org).
       GANA, Glass Association of North America 
     (www.glasswebsite.com).
       GMC, The Green Mechanical Council (www.greenmech.org).
       Green Builder Media (www.greenbuildermedia.com).
       Green Standard Green Building in Canada 
     (www.GreenStandard.ca).
       HARDI, Heating, Air-conditioning & Refrigeration 
     Distributors International (www.hardinet.org).
       IAPMO, International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical 
     Officials (www.iapmo.org).
       IALD, International Association of Lighting Designers 
     (www.iald.org).
       ICSC, International Council of Shopping Centers 
     (www.icsc.org).
       IFMA, International Facility Management Association 
     (www.ifma.org).
       InfoComm, InfoComm International (www.infocomm.org).
       MCAA, Mechanical Contractors Association of America 
     (www.mcaa.org).
       MVMA, Masonry Veneer Manufacturers Association 
     (www.masonryveneer.org).
       NAED, National Academy of Environmental Design 
     (www.naedonline.org).
       NECA, National Electrical Contractors Association 
     (www.necanet.org).
       NFRC, National Fenestration Rating Council (www.nfrc.org).
       NRCA, National Roofing Contractors Association 
     (www.nrca.net).
       NTHP, National Trust for Historic Preservation 
     (www.nthp.org).
       PCA, Portland Cement Association (www.cement.org).
       PERSI, Practice, Education and Research for Sustainable 
     Infrastructure (www.persi.us).
       PMI, Plumbing Manufacturers Institute (www.pmihome.org).
       PHCC, Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors--National 
     Association (www.phccweb.org).
       RCMA, Roof Coatings Manufacturers Association 
     (www.roofcoatings.org).
       RER, The Real Estate Roundtable (www.rer.org).
       SBIC, Sustainable Buildings Industry Council 
     (www.sbicouncil.org).
       SMACNA, Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors' 
     National Association (www.smacna.org).
       The Vinyl Institute (www.vinylinfo.org).

  Mr. BAIRD. Madam Speaker, I just want to commend Mrs. Biggert and Mr. 
Carnahan. It is particularly impressive to me when Members of Congress 
pick issues that might be under the radar for most people but have 
tremendous importance. And as the gentlelady's comments and my 
colleague from Texas observe, the percentage of energy consumed by 
buildings is phenomenal. It is the largest single energy consumer in 
this country, and their leadership on recognizing this and moving 
forward with positive solutions is particularly noteworthy and merits 
commendation. We argue sometimes here about whether it should be one 
form of power or another, but we can all agree that saving energy is in 
the best interest of this country and that buildings, and high-
performance buildings, are one of the best possible and most 
economically responsible ways to do so. And I would commend the 
gentlelady and her colleague, Mr. Carnahan.
  With that, I reserve my time.
  Mr. OLSON. Madam Speaker, I want to identify myself with the comments 
from my colleague over there with the extremely good work that 
Congressman Carnahan and Congresswoman Biggert have done on this issue.
  I see no further speakers on my side so I urge support of House 
Resolution 492.
  I yield back the balance of my time.

                              {time}  1445

  Mr. BAIRD. Having no further speakers, I yield back the balance of my 
time and urge passage of this valuable legislation.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Washington (Mr. Baird) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 492.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________