ASHRAE releases policy recommendations for new Congress

by Rebecca Walker — February 11, 2011—As the 112th Congress gets underway, ASHRAE has provided a potential roadmap for the federal government to use in addressing issues related to energy efficiency and environmental concerns.

Protecting America’s Economy and Conserving Our Environment: The Buildings Answer provides policy recommendations for the new Congress from the Society.

Fueled in part by population growth and the rise in building floorspace, the nation’s demand and consumption of energy is expected to grow by 14 percent through 2035, according to ASHRAE. Residential and commercial building energy expenditures accounted for $445.8 billion in 2008, and lead the way in primary energy use, accounting for approximately 40 percent, ahead of industry (32 percent) and transportation (28 percent).

ASHRAE’s report provides detailed recommendations on shaping energy policy.

Recommendations related to energy policy and climate change include:

  • Require posting and annual updates of buildings’ energy use
  • Include energy efficiency as a renewable fuel source within renewable standards portfolio
  • Encourage decoupling of utility rates from energy sales
  • Encourage states to implement utility demand-side management programs
  • Provide adequate funding and direction for data collection and analysis of energy use in buildings
  • Support implementation of Smart Grid and micro-grid systems
  • Remove barriers to grid-connection for on-site power generation
  • Require states to adopt commercial building energy codes with ANSI/ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1-2004 as a minimum

Recommendations related to energy efficiency include:

  • Set realistic depreciation schedules for HVAC&R equipment to encourage high-efficiency replacements
  • Ensure adequate planning time in extension or implementation of tax credits/deductions
  • Incentivize widespread use of building commissioning, re-commissioning and retro-commissioning
  • Support implementation of technologies utilizing energy previously deemed as waste heat
  • Encourage ongoing education and training for operations and maintenance personnel and building designers and constructors

The policy document can be found online.