Senators John Kerry and Barbara Boxer have introduced the Kerry-Boxer legislation to create clean energy jobs, reduce pollution, and protect American security by enhancing domestic energy production, and staving off global climate change.
The legislation is expected to help cut carbon pollution and stimulate the economy by creating millions of jobs in the clean energy sector.
Senator Kerry said the legislation is valuable because it puts Americans back in charge of their energy future and reinvents the way America uses energy.
Senator Boxer added that clean energy is the path to strong, stable economic growth and added that America must seize this opportunity before others move ahead. Senator Boxer added that global warming and economic recovery is our generation’s challenge.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
EPA and DOE Partner to Promote ENERGY STAR
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy are coming together to improve awareness of ENERGY STAR.
This combined effort will feature expanded coverage, regular updates, revitalized efforts on product testing, and the acknowledgement of super efficient products.
A Governing Council made up of the EPA Assistant Administrator for Air and Radiation and the DOE Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy will coordinate communication to outside stakeholders such as Congress, the Administration, and the public. The Governing Council will also hold stakeholder meetings twice annually.
Furthermore, DOE will support EPA by monitoring and verifying test procedure compliance and developing Federal test procedures and metrics.
EPA will serve as the brand manager when ENERGY STAR is applied to whole buildings. This includes marketing, outreach, monitoring and verification along with performance levels, which will be established according to established and consistent principles for the ENERGY STAR brand. DOE will support EPA in monitoring and verifying compliance.
This combined effort will feature expanded coverage, regular updates, revitalized efforts on product testing, and the acknowledgement of super efficient products.
A Governing Council made up of the EPA Assistant Administrator for Air and Radiation and the DOE Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy will coordinate communication to outside stakeholders such as Congress, the Administration, and the public. The Governing Council will also hold stakeholder meetings twice annually.
Furthermore, DOE will support EPA by monitoring and verifying test procedure compliance and developing Federal test procedures and metrics.
EPA will serve as the brand manager when ENERGY STAR is applied to whole buildings. This includes marketing, outreach, monitoring and verification along with performance levels, which will be established according to established and consistent principles for the ENERGY STAR brand. DOE will support EPA in monitoring and verifying compliance.
Obama Administration Provides $106 Million for Energy Efficiency and Conservation
Energy Secretary Steven Chu said more than $106 million in funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is being awarded to nine states.
The money is intended to support energy efficiency and conservation. Under the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) program, these states will implement programs aimed at lowering energy usage, reducing carbon pollution, and creating local green jobs.
States receiving funding today include: Delaware, Hawaii, Iowa, Indiana, Massachusetts, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Vermont and Virginia.
The money is intended to support energy efficiency and conservation. Under the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) program, these states will implement programs aimed at lowering energy usage, reducing carbon pollution, and creating local green jobs.
States receiving funding today include: Delaware, Hawaii, Iowa, Indiana, Massachusetts, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Vermont and Virginia.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
BIM Expected to Create Change
Building Information Modeling (BIM) may bring significant changes to the glass and curtain wall industries before 2015.
BIM is a process that serves as a channel to three standout areas of the fenestration industry. These include sustainable design, lean construction, and integrated project delivery.
Contract glaziers, glazing system suppliers, and consultants will need to understand the new BIM process, its tools, and how both of these may change their businesses. It’s likely that the psychology of changing a corporate culture and the processes it uses will pose more of a challenge of implementing a new software tool.
BIM is a process that serves as a channel to three standout areas of the fenestration industry. These include sustainable design, lean construction, and integrated project delivery.
Contract glaziers, glazing system suppliers, and consultants will need to understand the new BIM process, its tools, and how both of these may change their businesses. It’s likely that the psychology of changing a corporate culture and the processes it uses will pose more of a challenge of implementing a new software tool.
President Obama Addresses Climate Change
President Obama addressed the United Nations General Assembly regarding climate change on Tuesday, September 23, 2009.
Obama thanked the leaders who participated and added that the number of people present showed the urgency of acting to reduce the threat from climate change. Obama pointed out that today's response to this challenge will be judged by by future generations and called for bold, swift action because failing to do so would expose future generations to an irreversible catastrophe.
Obama further noted that no one can escape the impact of climate changes, particularly rising sea levels, more powerful storms and floods, and more frequent drought and crop failures that threaten the prosperity, health, and safety of the entire world.
Recognizing hope in the midst of adversity, Obama said he was proud that the United States has done more to promote clean energy and reduce carbon pollution in the last eight months than at any other time in our history.
Obama thanked the leaders who participated and added that the number of people present showed the urgency of acting to reduce the threat from climate change. Obama pointed out that today's response to this challenge will be judged by by future generations and called for bold, swift action because failing to do so would expose future generations to an irreversible catastrophe.
Obama further noted that no one can escape the impact of climate changes, particularly rising sea levels, more powerful storms and floods, and more frequent drought and crop failures that threaten the prosperity, health, and safety of the entire world.
Recognizing hope in the midst of adversity, Obama said he was proud that the United States has done more to promote clean energy and reduce carbon pollution in the last eight months than at any other time in our history.
Monday, September 21, 2009
Look for the NFRC Label
Beginning October 1, 2009, either a black or red label will appear on windows, door, and skylights.
The label indicates high-efficiency fenestration products that qualify as ENERGY STAR but are less stringent than the requirements that will be implemented April 1, 2010.
Windows, doors, and skylights purchased after June 1, 2009 need to have a U-factor and a Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) of 0.30 or less, and the ratings must be certified by the National Fenestration Rating Council.
The label indicates high-efficiency fenestration products that qualify as ENERGY STAR but are less stringent than the requirements that will be implemented April 1, 2010.
Windows, doors, and skylights purchased after June 1, 2009 need to have a U-factor and a Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) of 0.30 or less, and the ratings must be certified by the National Fenestration Rating Council.
Friday, September 18, 2009
NFRC's Executive Director says the Best is Yet to Come
An old adage explains that, “To know where you’re going, you have to know where you’ve been.”
When I think of where NFRC has been and where it’s going, it’s hard for me to believe we’ll be celebrating our 20th anniversary this year. It seems like just yesterday that some fenestration industry professionals and related stakeholders gathered in a hotel bar in Vancouver, British Columbia, to create an organization that addresses the need for a national, uniform fenestration energy rating system.
This group of industry professionals met because they saw the real need for credible energy ratings for windows, doors, and skylights. There were too many exaggerated claims about product performance that were misleading consumers. As this activity increased, the federal government began to investigate, and with government oversight looming, the key fenestration stakeholders moved quickly to establish the National Fenestration Rating Council.
That was in 1989, and today NFRC remains the only independent, third-party certification organization for fenestration product performance – and we’re still growing strong. Participation and interest in NFRC’s Product Certification Program continues to increase, and we see the organization playing a vital role in the sustainable building movement by providing the information required to make buildings more energy efficient.
Since its humble beginnings in Vancouver, I’ve seen many changes at NFRC. One of the most recent is our activity to address the needs of the commercial fenestration market through our Component Modeling Approach (CMA) program. The CMA Pilot Program is underway, and we’re motivated to engaging this industry with a product that provides credible, independent energy ratings. CMA promises to be a major step forward in NFRC’s evolution.
Another recent change is our revised strategic direction, which we unveiled during our recent Summer Membership Meeting in Baltimore, Md. The new direction more clearly defines our mission, vision, core values, and goals. You can view the specifics of the CMA Pilot Program on the NFRC Web site.
In the communications arena, NFRC is expanding its live meetings report to offer additional fenestration-related news between membership meetings. We also invested in a new, more modern exhibit booth to increase awareness of NFRC programs and to improve brand awareness.
These are just a few of the things we’re doing at NFRC to better serve our stakeholders and to enhance our relevancy in the industry. I’m truly honored to be part of this thriving organization, and as I reflect on the past and contemplate the future, I’m convinced the best is yet to come.
Jim Benney Executive Director
When I think of where NFRC has been and where it’s going, it’s hard for me to believe we’ll be celebrating our 20th anniversary this year. It seems like just yesterday that some fenestration industry professionals and related stakeholders gathered in a hotel bar in Vancouver, British Columbia, to create an organization that addresses the need for a national, uniform fenestration energy rating system.
This group of industry professionals met because they saw the real need for credible energy ratings for windows, doors, and skylights. There were too many exaggerated claims about product performance that were misleading consumers. As this activity increased, the federal government began to investigate, and with government oversight looming, the key fenestration stakeholders moved quickly to establish the National Fenestration Rating Council.
That was in 1989, and today NFRC remains the only independent, third-party certification organization for fenestration product performance – and we’re still growing strong. Participation and interest in NFRC’s Product Certification Program continues to increase, and we see the organization playing a vital role in the sustainable building movement by providing the information required to make buildings more energy efficient.
Since its humble beginnings in Vancouver, I’ve seen many changes at NFRC. One of the most recent is our activity to address the needs of the commercial fenestration market through our Component Modeling Approach (CMA) program. The CMA Pilot Program is underway, and we’re motivated to engaging this industry with a product that provides credible, independent energy ratings. CMA promises to be a major step forward in NFRC’s evolution.
Another recent change is our revised strategic direction, which we unveiled during our recent Summer Membership Meeting in Baltimore, Md. The new direction more clearly defines our mission, vision, core values, and goals. You can view the specifics of the CMA Pilot Program on the NFRC Web site.
In the communications arena, NFRC is expanding its live meetings report to offer additional fenestration-related news between membership meetings. We also invested in a new, more modern exhibit booth to increase awareness of NFRC programs and to improve brand awareness.
These are just a few of the things we’re doing at NFRC to better serve our stakeholders and to enhance our relevancy in the industry. I’m truly honored to be part of this thriving organization, and as I reflect on the past and contemplate the future, I’m convinced the best is yet to come.
Jim Benney Executive Director
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