ATLANTA - The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers’ (ASHRAE’s) work in providing advanced energy guidance was highlighted in testimony before Congress. ASHRAE President Kent Peterson, P.E., spoke at a hearing, “Building Green, Saving Green: Constructing Sustainable and Energy-Efficient Buildings,” before the Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming of the U.S. House of Representatives.

“As Congress examines all sources and causes of global warming emissions, it must consider how the buildings we work and live in can contribute to reduce the impact of climate change,” said Rep. Edward Markey (D-Mass.), chair of the committee. “ASHRAE’s standards offer a foundation for energy-efficient buildings, and the Committee is interested in how building codes can be used to increase the number of green buildings throughout the nation.”

Peterson talked about ASHRAE’s role in writing standards for adoption into building codes and its work in developing guidance that goes beyond minimum requirements in building codes.

“Today’s buildings mortgage our energy and environmental future,” Peterson said. “In the past, Standard 90.1 and other guidance from ASHRAE focused on minimum requirements to save energy. Recognizing that we must do more, ASHRAE is looking ahead to producing advanced energy design guidance, with the goal of net-zero energy buildings. We welcome the opportunity to stress the need for a more energy efficient future before the House Committee.”

Publication date: 05/19/2008