ATLANTA, GA — Long-term sustainability issues and the impacts of energy use on the environment will be addressed in a proposed energy position document being drafted by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE).

“Energy is a fundamental consideration in most everything ASHRAE does,” said Mark Case, chairman of the committee writing the paper. “This document will explain our views, based on our knowledge of energy use in buildings and the societal and economic impacts of that energy use.”

Issues addressed will include electric utility restructuring and the role of demand-side management through energy efficiency, as well as the impact of buildings on the energy infrastructure, barriers to improved efficiency in new and existing buildings, the role of energy codes, and the interactions of IAQ and energy consumption.