ASHRAE Journal - June 2012 - 103

WASHington rEPort

CBECS Delayed?
By Mark Ames and Mark Wills
Work is under way on the Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption Survey (CBECS), with an expected data release in 2014. Significant progress has been made on the Survey. However, ASHRAE has learned that the Survey may be interrupted, and release of the data delayed for a year as a result of possible congressional funding decisions for fiscal year 2013. Specifically, the House Appropriations Committee proposed a $5 million reduction in funding for the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), which administers CBECS. EIA needs about $4 million per year to continue work on CBECS, and a $5 million funding reduction could result in suspending work on the Survey. EIA previously halted work on CBECS as a result of congressional funding cuts. Despite this threat, the next edition of the survey may still be released on schedule, because the Senate Appropriations Committee proposed an $11.3 million increase in FY2013 funding for EIA. This would be enough to allow progress to continue on the Survey and fund a planned expansion. At the time of publication, neither the House nor the Senate had passed their EIA funding bill, and much uncertainty remains on the final level of funding that will be provided for FY2013. In response to this uncertainty, ASHRAE sent a letter to EIA encouraging the agency to allocate funds to CBECS to allow progress to continue on the Survey, regardless of Congress’ ultimate funding decisions. To view ASHRAE’s letter, visit www. ashrae.org/government-affairs, and click on “Public Policy Issue Briefs, Letters & Testimony” on the left side. High Performance Building Week events are organized by members of the High-Performance Building Congressional Caucus Coalition, and held alongside the International Code Council Foundation’s Building Safety Month. Are you interested in working on or hosting an event for next year’s High Performance Building Week, either in your state or Washington, D.C.? If so, please contact WashDC@ashrae.org.

Coalitions Forming
Working in concert with like-minded organizations is a basic tenet of advocacy at all levels of government – and now, U.S. ASHRAE members have the opportunity to work in tandem with influential energy efficiency advocates. There are six regional energy efficiency organizations (REEOs), which serve as guiding forces in the development of strong and sound energy policy in their respective spheres of influence: • Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (MEEA); Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships (NEEP); Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA); South-central Partnership for Energy Efficiency as a Resource (SPEER); Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance (SEEA); and Southwest Energy Efficiency Project (SWEEP). ASHRAE regional and chapter leaders are taking advantage of the REEOs’ 30,000 ft view of stringent energy codes and standards by discussing with these organizations ways in which ASHRAE can work with them to further the cause of greater efficiency in the built environment at their communities. If you are interested in learning more about the REEO in your part of the U.S., contact the Government Affairs Office at WashDC@ashrae.org. Mark Ames (mames@ashrae.org) is ASHRAE manager of federal government affairs. Mark Wills (mwills@ashrae.org) is ASHRAE manager of state and local government affairs.

High Performance Building Week
The 2012 High Performance Building Week (May 14 to 19) showcased a variety of events in Washington, D.C., designed to inform federal policy makers of the opportunities and benefits that high performance buildings can provide to society and the economy.
June 2012

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ASHRAE Journal

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ASHRAE Journal - June 2012

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