Welcome to the IFMA Government Relations Action Center. As you may be aware, IFMA is maintaining an aggressive issue monitoring and advocacy program in Washington, D.C. as part of our continued efforts to magnify the importance of the facility management professional. The association’s advocacy efforts on Capitol Hill are dedicated to providing reliable information to decision makers on issues affecting the built environment, creating common sense solutions for energy efficient building initiatives and highlighting the importance of education and training in effective facility management.
IFMA has tremendous advocates in Washington, including staff and regular visits by the Board of Directors. However, the greatest resource IFMA can bring to bear is the experience and expertise of our nearly 20,000 members worldwide. As IFMA continues to expand our advocacy efforts, we strongly encourage our members to become involved. Decisions made on Capitol Hill are increasingly influencing the FM profession, and it is critical that lawmakers get the information directly from those who will be affected by legislation. Please take some time to understand the issues IFMA is currently monitoring in Washington and reach out to help educate your elected officials.
IFMA is committed to working with public and private sector partners to provide reliable information to our nation’s leaders on issues affecting the built environment and investing in our nation’s infrastructure by updating our country’s existing building stock. For more information on IFMA’s government affairs program, or to find out how you can become more involved in helping to shape the policy debate in Washington, please e-mail jeffrey.johnson@ifma.org.
Monthly Legislative Update
As Washington Heat Up Congress Turns Focus to Energy Policy
June 2010
Energy and climate change issues continue to see action in the Senate. While sections of each of these bills may be combined into a larger vehicle, it is energy legislation that passed out the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Energy last year, but failed to advance to the Senate floor that may have new life. Authored by Committee Chairman Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) this bill places a great deal of focus on the built environment. It would establish advanced commercial and residential building codes through the Department of Energy. It would also establish minimum energy efficiency requirements for appliances, along with a rebate program for older models, including electric motors. An overall energy reduction target of 50% by 2016 is set for the commercial building sector. A cap and trade component is not included in the Bingaman bill, and is not likely to be considered by Congress this year.
The Senate is scheduled to vote on Sen. Lisa Murkowski’s (R-AK) “resolution of disapproval”, the week of June 7th. Senate Joint Resolution 26 would permanently ban the EPA from independently regulating stationary source emissions from power plants, manufacturing facilities, and other large buildings. Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) had introduced a similar resolution, however his would have banned EPA regulatory action to a two-year term. Sen. Murkowski’s resolution needs a simple majority of 51 votes to pass. The House would then need to schedule a vote and pass the resolution. The President has indicated that he would veto the measure should it reach his desk.
Sen. Richard Lugar (R-IN) also introduced an energy bill earlier this week. His legislation places a great deal of emphasis on energy efficiency. Sen. Lugar’s bill also proposes increased incentives and funding for new nuclear power plants, along with encouraging increased efficiency and retrofitting of older buildings through low interest loans. Establishing federal standards, related to building codes is also in the legislation. Sen. Lindsay Graham (R-SC) has indicated his support for the bill.
S. 3079, named “Building Star” may also receive consideration at some point this Congress. Building Star would cover roughly 30 percent of the cost of energy-related equipment and services including energy audits, building envelope insulation, mechanical equipment upgrades, lighting and energy management and monitoring equipment. The Building Star program is projected to save building owners more than $3 billion on their energy bills. There is a possibility that this legislation could be offered as an amendment or as part of the manager’s amendment to the primary energy vehicle.
Since much of the active energy legislation creates expanded opportunities for offshore drilling (and was developed prior to the BP oil spill), Members of Congress have indicated that certain provisions must be revised prior to full Senate consideration.
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