The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“SUPPORTING HIGH-PERFORMANCE BUILDING WEEK” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Energy was published in the House of Representatives section on pages H6275-H6277 on June 8, 2009.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
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;
(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).
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.
____________________
