[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 109 (Monday, July 20, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1854]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    LETTER FROM THE HIGH-PERFORMANCE BUILDING CONGRESSIONAL CAUCUS 
             COALITION RE: ENERGY AND WATER APPROPS OF 2010

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. RUSS CARNAHAN

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 20, 2009

  Mr. CARNAHAN. Madam Speaker, I submit the following letter:

                                         High-Performance Building


                               Congressional Caucus Coalition,

                                                    July 15, 2009.
     Chairman David Obey,
     Committee on Appropriations, House of Representatives, H-218 
         U.S. Capitol, Washington, DC.
     Ranking Member Jerry Lewis,
     Committee on Appropriations, House of Representatives, 1016 
         Longworth House Office Building, Washington, DC.
     Re DOE Energy Efficient Building Systems Hub
       Dear Chairman Obey and Ranking Member Lewis: As you 
     consider appropriations for the Department of Energy that 
     will impact the energy use associated with buildings, the 
     members of the High-Performance Building Congressional Caucus 
     Coalition (HPBCCC) indicated below, strongly encourage 
     providing funding for the implementation of an innovation hub 
     for energy efficient building systems.
       High-performance buildings, which address human, 
     environmental, economic and total societal impact, are the 
     result of the application of the highest level design, 
     construction, operation and maintenance principles--a 
     paradigm change for the built environment. The U.S. 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.
       Within the private sector, we have made considerable gains 
     toward the design and construction of energy efficient 
     buildings and equipment. In further pursuit of the nation's 
     energy goals and to fully realize the results of private 
     sector innovation, we look forward to working with you and 
     the Department of Energy to establish public-private 
     partnership programs (including the Energy Efficient Building 
     Systems Hub) to effectively develop and implement energy 
     savings technologies and practices.
       The High-Performance Building Congressional Caucus 
     Coalition (HPBCCC) is a private sector coalition of leading 
     organizations from the building community formed to provide 
     guidance and support to the High-Performance Building Caucus 
     of the U.S. Congress. The High-Performance Building Caucus of 
     the U.S. Congress was formed to heighten awareness and inform 
     policymakers about the major impact buildings have on our 
     health, safety and welfare and the opportunities to design, 
     construct and operate high-performance buildings that reflect 
     our concern for these impacts. Fundamental to these concerns 
     include protecting life and property, developing novel 
     building technologies, facilitating and enhancing U.S. 
     economic competitiveness, increasing energy efficiency in the 
     built-environment, assuring buildings have minimal climate 
     change impacts and are able to respond to changes in the 
     environment, and supporting the development of private sector 
     standards, codes and guidelines that address these concerns.
           Sincerely,
         American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-
           conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE); Glass Association of 
           North America (GANA); AEC Science & Technology; 
           National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA); 
           National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS); The 
           Carpet and Rug Institute; American Society of Civil 
           Engineers (ASCE).
         International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical 
           Officials (IAPMO); Plumbing-Heating-Cooling 
           Contractors-National Association (PHCC); U.S. Green 
           Building Council (USGBC); International Council of 
           Shopping Centers (ICSC); National Fenestration Rating 
           Council (NFRC); Green Building Initiative (GBI); 
           American Institute of Architects (AIA).
         Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI); Portland 
           Cement Association (PCA); International Code Council 
           (ICC); Architecture 2030; Center for Environmental 
           Innovation in Roofing; Mechanical Contractors 
           Association of America (MCAA).
         Green Builder Media; International Association of 
           Lighting Designers (IALD); Air Conditioning Contractors 
           of America (ACCA); Alliance to Save Energy (ASE); Spray 
           Polyurethane Foam Alliance (SPFA); Green Mechanical 
           Council.

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