[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 89 (Thursday, June 20, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E929-E930]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       FEDERAL AGRICULTURE REFORM AND RISK MANAGEMENT ACT OF 2013

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. MICHAEL G. GRIMM

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 19, 2013

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the state of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 1947) to 
     provide for the reform and continuation of agricultural and 
     other programs of the Department of Agriculture through 
     fiscal year 2018, and for other purposes:

  Mr. GRIMM. Mr. Chair, I rise today to express my sincere thanks to 
Chairman Frank Lucas for his acceptance of the amendment to the Farm 
Bill that I offered with my colleagues from New York Reps. Chris Gibson 
and Tim Bishop. Our amendment would require the Secretary of 
Agriculture to conduct a study and no later than 180 days after 
enactment report back to the relevant committees in the House and 
Senate an analysis of energy use in USDA facilities, a list of energy 
audits that have been conducted at USDA facilities, a list of energy 
efficiency projects that have been conducted at USDA facilities and a 
list of energy savings projects that could be achieved with additional 
mechanical insulation at USDA facilities.
  Thermal Insulation for piping, equipment, and other mechanical 
devices, known as mechanical insulation, is a proven energy efficiency 
and emission reduction technology that will reduce costs, save energy, 
and improve personnel safety. It is also important to point out that 95 
percent of all mechanical insulation products used in the United States 
are manufactured in the United States.

[[Page E930]]

  As you are well aware, buildings are responsible for 40 percent of 
the United States energy demand and emissions, which makes efficiency 
gains in this area crucial if we are to markedly reduce America's 
energy consumption. To give you a sense of the impact mechanical 
insulation can have on our country, the National Insulation Association 
estimates that implementing a comprehensive mechanical insulation 
maintenance program in the commercial and industrial market segments 
would lead to annual energy savings of 1.22 quads of primary energy or 
$3.8 billion and returns on investment ranging from 25-100 percent.
  We, as Members of Congress, should be taking a leading role in 
ensuring energy efficiency is a priority in our country. What better 
way to lead than to look in our federal buildings at the ways we 
utilize, or unfortunately, the ways we all too often do not utilize and 
maintain a low cost, high impact American product that is proven to 
save energy and money.
  By passing this amendment we are asking the Department of Agriculture 
to help lead the way for others to follow by reducing its energy cost 
and emissions with the increased use of a proven technology, simply 
known as mechanical insulation.

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