The Sheet Metal and Air-Conditioning Contractors’ National Association President likes the president's economic stimulus package. 

Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association President John Ilten said members were enthusiastic about approval of the president’s economic stimulus package.

“This new federal energy efficiency infrastructure investment and related tax incentives bode well for our industry, our environment and our economy,” he said. “Our firms are eager to join in this massive federal construction effort to promote public building, energy efficiency, building retrofits and building-related infrastructure projects to quickly stimulate economic growth in the green buildings sector of the construction market.”

President Barack Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act in Denver Tuesday.

SMACNA hailed the act’s green-building infrastructure tax incentives, which are expected to pump more than $100 billion dollars into private sector green construction and retrofit activity in the commercial, institutional, residential and industrial sectors in the future.

Importantly, this historic level of energy efficiency investment will yield substantial paybacks for the environment and in savings on energy bills for many years to come,” Ilten said. “The fact that the federal government has vowed to lead our nation to a higher level of energy efficiency, green building and sustainability makes us confident greater opportunities will be available for years to come.

“Those firms with highly trained workers, such as SMACNA members, who are ready to implement sophisticated mechanical technology will enjoy expanded opportunities from this important federal act,” he added.