Washington, D.C. — The International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO®) and Mechanical Hub joined a large coalition of plumbing and mechanical industry organizations in supporting H.R. 4801, a bill that would call for the Department of Energy to report on the impact and savings potential of improved thermal insulation systems in federal buildings.
Introduced by U.S. Reps. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.) and Jerry McNerney (D-Calif.), H.R. 4801 provides a clear mechanism for the federal government, the single largest consumer of energy in the country, to conserve resources and cut spending in working toward a viable energy strategy for the future. The House voted in favor of the bill late Monday.
“Vast amounts of energy, water, and money are needlessly wasted every day by current heating and cooling techniques,” said Dain Hansen, IAPMO’s vice president of Government Relations. “The increased use of thermal insulation in federal buildings would provide a simple and actionable strategy to reduce energy use and cut unnecessary costs, consequently achieving tangible energy efficient results. Additionally, improved insulation measures would have an immense impact on the U.S. economy as a whole, including significant savings for taxpayers, tens of thousands of new jobs, and a considerable reduction in harmful carbon emissions.
“As organizations vested in energy and water conservation and the advancement of technology, we applaud Congress’ efforts on this front.”
The coalition of 19 leading associations and organizations in the plumbing and mechanical industry sent a letter to Reps. Kinzinger and McNerney expressing their support of the bill and offering assistance in gaining its passage. The letter can be viewed by visiting http://goo.gl/Uyu5FI.
“I’m proud to see the House investing in research that could significantly save both financial and natural resources all across the country,” Rep. Kinzinger said. “With the federal government being the single largest consumer of energy in the country, doing our best to maximize the potential savings from improved insulation systems is a commonsense step I think everybody can agree on. I hope the Senate takes up this bill and moves quickly to begin this important analysis.”
The latest National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS) Consultative Council Report, a collection of findings and recommendations on high-level issues impacting the building community presented to President Obama and subsequently delivered by the president to Congress, recommends thermal insulation on pipes. IAPMO’s Pete DeMarco chairs the Consultative Council’s Energy and Water Topical Committee.
“It is important for us to look for ways to save taxpayer money and make sure the federal government is doing its part to preserve our natural resources,” Rep. McNerney said. “Thermal insulation can be a simple and effective way to reduce costs and help conserve both water and energy. Additionally, we can use the findings from this study and make sure we are doing everything we can in both federal and private buildings to maximize energy and water efficiency.”
Industry supporters of the bill:
AEC Science & Technology, LLC
The Air Barrier Association of America
Alliance for Water Efficiency (AWE)
American Rainwater Catchment Systems Association
American Society of Plumbing Engineers (ASPE)
APPA
ASHRAE
CONTRACTOR magazine
Dryvit Systems, Inc.
EIFS Industry Members Association (EIMA)
Environmental and Energy Study Institute
The Institute for Market Transformation (IMT)
The International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (The IAPMO Group)
The International Code Council (ICC)
Mechanical Hub
The National Insulation Association (NIA)
Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors–National Association
SUN DAY Campaign
Water Quality Association (WQA)
Join the conversation: