[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 96 (Thursday, June 24, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1205]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               SUPPORTING HIGH-PERFORMANCE BUILDING WEEK

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. MICHAEL M. HONDA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 22, 2010

  Mr. HONDA. Mr. Speaker, the High-Performance Building Congressional 
Caucus Coalition has designated June 13-19 as ``High-Performance 
Building Week.'' During this week, we are recognizing the importance of 
energy efficient building design, with the goal of driving our country 
toward a more sustainable future.
  Buildings throughout our nation are responsible for over 39 percent 
of our annual carbon emissions, and for 12 percent of the potable water 
consumption as well as over 70 percent of the electricity use in the 
United States. The dramatic energy consumption of our buildings is 
damaging in the long run, and it is imperative that we make energy 
efficiency part and parcel of the building and operations of our places 
of work and shelter.
  As a Californian, I recognize the importance of sound energy policy 
and environmental protection. California stands as a leader in these 
fields, having a range of accomplishments related to our environment 
and energy independence. The city of San Jose has already begun the 
process of retrofitting and meeting green building standards with its 
Green Vision program. Universities throughout the state have installed 
solar systems to power their electricity needs. Students from high 
schools and universities in my district have formed recycling 
initiatives, built solar cars and houses for competitions, and held 
eco-friendly fundraising fashion shows; each of these steps may seem 
small but is a critical part of a bigger national stride.
  The efforts of Californians are echoed by many in the House of 
Representatives. I was privileged to be a part of establishing the 
Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition in order to deal with 
problems including that of the built environment. We feel it is 
essential that the House gives priority to consideration of energy and 
environmental issues, and applaud resolutions like H. Res. 1407, 
supporting the ideals of ``High-Performance Building Week,'' which 
focuses attention on all aspects of high-performance buildings, 
including the role they play in reducing impact of humans on our 
climate.
  In addition to creating more energy-efficient buildings, we also need 
to address the efficiency of the electronics inside our homes. Our 
household electronics consume a massive amount of energy--the power to 
run them cost Americans $80 billion last year, but that is a small 
number compared to the projected $200 billion in electricity they will 
consume by 2030 unless something changes. We need to consider the 
potential for integrated smart electronics that will both heal the 
energy wounds we have created as well as provide a cost-effective 
solution for consumers. In April, I introduced the Smart Electronics 
Act, H.R. 5070, to help green the electronics industry by providing the 
private sector with reliable standards and incentives and by educating 
and empowering consumers to make smarter and more efficient choices--
all of which help cool the planet and keep Silicon Valley innovative.
  Once again, Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I commemorate 
the progress we are making toward a sustainably responsible future. 
Focusing on creating energy-efficient building envelopes as well as 
smarter electronics inside homes inspires our communities to work 
toward the next generation of energy independence and environmental 
justice.

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