High-Performance Building Week to take place June 13-19.

Press Release Summary:



High-Performance Building Week, taking place in Washington, DC from June 13-19, will highlight importance of high-performing buildings to sustainable future. Addressing importance to federal, state, and local policymakers as well as general public, event will include Congressional visit and various briefings as well as presentations by speakers from IFMA and NEMA. Additional activities include site visits and reception honoring high-performance building advancements.



Original Press Release:



Resolution, Briefings, Congressional Visits Featured in High-Performance Building Week



ATLANTA -- While the importance of high-performing buildings to a sustainable future is noteworthy year-round, special recognition will be given during upcoming High-Performance Building Week, June 13-19.

The High-Performance Building Congressional Caucus Coalition (HPBCCC), established by ASHRAE, will highlight the importance of high-performance buildings to federal, state and local policymakers and the general public.

The building industry has a huge impact on the environment as buildings consume vast amounts of resources and are responsible for nearly half of all greenhouse gas emissions, ASHRAE President Gordon Holness said. As such we strive to offset that impact through responsible design, construction and operation. High-performance buildings, which address human, environmental, economic and total societal impact, are the result of the application of the highest level design, construction, operation and maintenance principles.

Representatives Judy Biggert (R-Ill.) and Russ Carnahan (D-Mo.), who serve as co-chairs of the High-Performance Building Caucus, have introduced a resolution (H.Res.1407) in the House of Representatives supporting the goals and ideals of the week.

The week will kick off with a Congressional visit and press event at the National Institute of Standards and Technology on June 14. Two briefings for Congressional staff also will take place.

Getting the Whole Picture of High-Performance will be held from 10-11:30 a.m. June 15, 2325 Rayburn House Office Building. Speakers include Gordon Holness; a representative from the International Facility Management Association (IFMA); and Evan Gaddis, CEO, National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA).

A luncheon briefing on Partnerships or Net-Zero-Energy Buildings takes place noon-1:30 p.m., June 18, 2325 Rayburn House Office Buildings. Presenters are David Terry, executive director, National Association of State Energy Officials; Jim Rannels, team leader, Building Technologies, U.S. DOE; William Sisson, director of sustainability, United Technologies Research Center; and Kevin Kampschroer, director, Office of Federal High-Performance Green Buildings, GSA.

Additional activities in Washington, D.C., include site visits, such as to the American Society of Landscape Architects Green Roof program, and a reception honoring advancements toward widespread achievement of high-performance buildings, at which ASHRAE President Holness will be honored.

At the state and local level, members of the building community are encouraged to celebrate the week through public outreach and contact with public officials. Members of the HPBCCC participating organizations are asked to contact their Member of Congress by phone and e-mail and encourage them to join the High-Performance Building Congressional Caucus. Tips and resources for getting in touch with local representatives can be found at http://www.hpbccc.org/hpbweek.php.

ASHRAE is an international technical society that 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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