Briefing addresses energy efficiency of historic buildings.

Press Release Summary:



Sponsored by the High-Performance Building Congressional Caucus Coalition, a briefing for Congressional staff on turning older structures into high-performing historic buildings will take place from 11:30 am to 1 pm on April 15 in 12 Cannon House Office Building. Speakers, among other things, will give an introduction to historic buildings; discuss opportunities for high-performance, policies, and technologies; and provide examples of high-performance historic buildings.



Original Press Release:



Re-Engineering the Past: Congressional Briefing Held on High-Performing Historic Buildings



ATLANTA - Historic buildings don't have to remain in the past when it comes to energy efficiency.

Instead, such structures can maintain their historical characteristics and also take advantage of new technologies and products that will improve their energy use. A briefing for Congressional staff on turning older structures into high-performing historic buildings will take place from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. April 15 in 12 Cannon House Office Building.

The briefing is sponsored by the High-Performance Building Congressional Caucus Coalition, which works to heighten awareness and inform policymakers about the major impact buildings have on health, safety and welfare. ASHRAE serves as the Coalition's secretariat and is a leading sponsor of the briefing with the American Institute of Architects and the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

"As the saying goes 'the most sustainable building is one you never have to build,'" Doug Read, ASHRAE program director of government affairs, said. "Historic buildings already have a significant amount of embodied resources in the bricks and mortar, so it only makes sense to maintain the historic nature of the structure while improving its energy efficiency."

Rep. Judy Biggert, R-Ill., Rep. Russ Carnahan, D- Mo., and Rep. Mike Turner, R-OH, will provide welcome remarks. Speakers are:
o Emily Wadhams, vice president of public policy at the National Trust for Historic Preservation, giving an introduction to historic buildings.
o Patrick Lally, director of congressional affairs for the National Trust for Historic Preservation, speaking on opportunities for high-performance, policies and technologies.
o Ralph DiNola, Assoc. AIA, principal with Green Building Services, who will provide examples of high-performance historic buildings.

ASHRAE, founded in 1894, is an international organization of some 50,000 persons. ASHRAE fulfills its mission of advancing heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration to serve humanity and promote a sustainable world through research, standards writing, publishing and continuing education.

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