Economic Stimulus Bill Reinforces Importance of Energy-Saving Standard 90.1

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ATLANTA - In the economic stimulus package just signed into law by President Obama, ANSI/ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1-2007 and its energy-saving features are recognized through special funding measures.

For states to receive additional funding from the $16.8 billion allotted to the Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, governors would be required to work toward implementation of a building energy code at least as stringent as Standard 90.1-2007 and to develop a plan for achieving 90 percent compliance with the code, including provisions for training and enforcement programs.

“For more than 30 years, Standard 90.1 has been one of the building industry’s most important benchmarks for energy efficiency,” says ASHRAE President Bill Harrison. “Its inclusion in the economic stimulus package demonstrates not only its importance in the building industry, but the importance and economic potential of saving energy and promoting energy-efficient technologies.”

Standard 90.1 provides minimum requirements for the energy-efficient design of buildings in the United States, except low-rise residential buildings. Written during the 1970s energy crisis, ASHRAE Standard 90.1 first was published in 1975 as an effort to cut energy use in buildings. The 2004 version of the standard is referenced in the U.S. Energy Policy Act, which requires states to adopt commercial building codes that meet or exceed the standard’s requirements.

ASHRAE has set a goal of making the standard 30 percent more stringent over the 2004 version by the 2010 publication.

[an error occurred while processing this directive] The stimulus package, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, focuses on economic stimulus through both tax credits and public-sector spending, with a heavy focus on infrastructure and energy. Several provisions are of interest to and could bring new opportunities to the building sector, including:

Tax credits for the production of renewable energy are extended until at least 2012
Research expenses associated with renewables, conservation, and carbon capture and sequestration could result in higher credits in 2009 and 2010

• The Department of Energy is authorized to provide grants up to 30% of the cost of installation of items such as fuel cells, solar, small wind, geothermal heatpumps, and combined heat and power systems

• epartment of Energy, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy receiving $21.4 billion for research, weatherization assistance, grants and other programs

• Department of Labor receiving $750 million for job training, with significant focus on emerging industry sectors including energy efficiency and renewable energy

• Federal agencies are receiving considerable funds for retrofitting and upgrading existing facilities to meet federal energy and water use requirements and alleviate any maintenance backlogs

For more information on ASHRAE government affairs, please visit www.ashrae.org/advocacy.

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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