WASHINGTON - Following up on the commitment he made at the Mechanical Contractors Association of America’s (MCAA’s) convention to make MCAA the "greenest" organization in the industry, President Dave Kruse and a contingent of MCAA representatives met with the leadership of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). The three-hour meeting took place at the USGBC's offices in Washington, D.C.

A range of issues were addressed by both parties. MCAA is particularly interested in clarifying and participating in the development of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating systems for New Construction and Existing Buildings as the USGBC continues to update and refine those systems. MCAA is also exploring ways to increase the number and availability of LEED Accredited Professional preparation courses for its membership. Other areas of mutual interest discussed included possible joint projects with the Mechanical Contracting Education & Research Foundation (MCERF), ways to leverage each organization's numerous student chapters across the U.S., and providing speaking and participation opportunities in each other's educational programs (especially MCAA's annual student chapter competition).

The USGBC attendees were Rick Fedrizzi, president, CEO, and founding board member; Tom Hicks, vice president, LEED; Doug Gatlin, director, LEED Existing Buildings; and Linda Sorrento, director, LEED, Commercial Interiors. Other MCAA attendees at the meeting were: Bob Turner, Tucker Mechanical, Meriden, Conn.; Tim Wentz, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, Neb.; John Gentille, MCAA CEO; and other MCAA staff members.

For more information on MCAA or MCERF green activities, contact Sean McGuire at smcguire@mcaa.org or Dennis Langley at dlangley@mcaa.org.

Publication date: 04/23/2007