Complete Story
04/02/2010
Mechanical Insulation on the Hill
NIA, International, and other insulation associations brief House staff on the benefits of insulation
The National Insulation Association (NIA), the International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Allied Workers (International), and other insulation associations educated about 60 attendees, including staff from 15 congressional offices as well as dozens of representatives of construction-related organizations, about the benefits of insulation at a High-Performance Building Congressional Caucus Coalition on March 25, 2010.
The briefing was titled "High-Performance Insulation: Increasing Energy Efficiency, Protecting the Environment, Creating Jobs, and Stimulating Our Economy." It was sponsored by NIA, the International, the Spray Polyurethane Foam Alliance (SPFA), the Polyisocyanurate Manufacturers Association (PIMA), and the North American Insulation Manufacturers Association (NAIMA).
Ron King, Past President of and Consultant to NIA, gave the first presentation, titled "High Performance Buildings: The Importance of Mechanical Insulation." He stressed the incredible energy savings and emission reduction potential of properly installed and maintained mechanical insulation.
Other presentations were:
* "High Performance Buildings: How the Insulation Adds Up," Charles Cottrell, Vice President Technical Services, NAIMA
* "High Performance Buildings: Why Roof Insulation Matters," Jared Blum, President, PIMA
* "High Performance Buildings: The Role of Air-Sealing," Dr. Richard Duncan, Technical Director, SPFA.
Also discussed was the Building STAR program, a proposal to provide 17 incentives for efficient building equipment, materials, and services that would be an immediate catalyst for job creation by small businesses in the construction and manufacturing industries.
The High-Performance Building Caucus of the U.S. Congress, co-chaired by Congressman Russ Carnahan (D-MO) and Congresswoman Judy Biggert (R-IL), was formed to heighten awareness and inform policymakers about the major impact buildings have on our health, safety, and welfare and the opportunities to design, construct, and operate high-performance buildings that reflect our concern for these impacts. The High-Performance Buildings Congressional Caucus Coalition is a private sector coalition providing guidance and support to the High-Performance Buildings Caucus of the U.S. Congress.
Co-sponsors of this briefing included the International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Allied Workers, American Society of Testing and Materials, National Institute of Building Sciences, American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers, Alliance to Save Energy, Center for Environmental Innovation in Roofing, National Roofing Contractors Association, Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors; National Association, Air Barrier Association of America, and Sustainable Buildings Industry Council.
This presentation is part of an overall Mechanical Insulation Marketing Initiative push on Capitol Hill. To learn more about what NIA is doing to grow the mechanical insulation industry, visit www.insulation.org/mimi <http://internetmailmanager.com/i/ou.htm?a=215920&b=1685889&c=14962990&d=http:~~www.insulation.org~mimi> .
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NIA is a not-for-profit trade association representing the contractors, distributors, laminators, fabricators, and manufacturers that provide thermal insulation, insulation accessories, and components to the commercial, mechanical, and industrial markets throughout the nation. Since 1953, the northern Virginia-based association has been the voice of the insulation industry and is dedicated to keeping the commercial and industrial insulation industry up to date on the latest industry trends and technologies.
National Insulation Association . 12100 Sunset Hills Road, Suite 330 . Reston, VA 20190 . 703-464-6422 . fax 703-464-5896
