WASHINGTON - The High-Performance Building Congressional Caucus Coalition is holding a briefing for congressional staff on turning historic structures into high-performing historic buildings on April 15 from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. in 12 Cannon House Office Building.

The High-Performance Building Congressional Caucus Coalition works to heighten awareness and inform policymakers about the major impact buildings have on health, safety, and welfare. The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) serves as the coalition’s secretariat and is a leading sponsor of the briefing with the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The coalition says historic buildings can maintain their historical characteristics and also take advantage of new technologies and products that will improve their energy use.

“As the saying goes ‘the most sustainable building is one you never have to build,’” said Doug Read, ASHRAE program director of government affairs. “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-Ohio) will provide welcome remarks. Speakers are:

• Emily Wadhams, vice president of public policy at the National Trust for Historic Preservation, giving an introduction to historic buildings.

• Patrick Lally, director of congressional affairs for the National Trust for Historic Preservation, speaking on opportunities for high-performance, policies and technologies.

• Ralph DiNola, Assoc. AIA, principal with Green Building Services, who will provide examples of high-performance historic buildings.

Publication date: 04/13/2009