High-Performance Building Week Activities from HPBCCC and HPB&EER

In recognition of the organizations, industries, and workers contributing to widespread achievement of high-performance buildings and the importance of high-performance buildings in meeting national goals, members of the High-Performance Building Congressional Caucus Coalition (HPBCCC) have designated June 13-19 as High-Performance Building Week. In celebration of the week, the following activities and recognitions have been planned:

June 14 • Site Visit and Press Event at the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s Building and Fire Research Laboratory, Gaithersburg, MD (by invitation only)

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) provides key research into numerous technologies and materials critical to achieving high-performance buildings. Key Members of Congress and their staff will learn about three aspects of the Building and Fire Research Laboratory’s (BFRL) work including the durability of materials, fire safety, and solar energy technology.

June 15 • Congressional Briefing on “The Whole Picture of High-Performance Buildings,” 10:00-11:30 am, 2325 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC

High-performance buildings require consideration of numerous characteristics and are impacted by actions from outside the buildings industry. This briefing will introduce the concept of high-performance buildings and the role of education and training and technology development in achieving them.

June 15 • Reception and Awards in Honor of High-Performance Building Week, 5:30-7:30 pm, Capitol Hill, Washington, DC

In honor of High-Performance Building Week and the work of the High-Performance Building Caucus, a reception will be held on Capitol Hill. ASHRAE President Gordon V.R. Holness will be honored for his personal and organizational commitment to high-performance buildings.

June 15-16 •CEO/President/ Chair Congressional Visits Day, Capitol Hill, Washington, DC

Leaders from the organizations and corporations critical to the achievement of high-performance buildings will meet with their Members of Congress to discuss key issues in the achievement of high-performance buildings.

June 17 • High-Performance Building and Energy Efficiency Roundtable and High-Performance Building Congressional Caucus Coalition Meeting, 11:30 am-2:30 pm, National Institute of Building Sciences, Washington, DC

The monthly meeting of the High-Performance Building and Energy Efficiency Roundtable, a government affairs focused networking group, and an HPBCCC meeting will be held at the Institute.

June 18 • Congressional Briefing on “Partnerships for Net-Zero Energy Buildings,” 12:00-1:30 pm, 2325 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC

The Zero-Energy Commercial Building Consortium is a private sector consortium assisting DOE’s Commercial Building Initiative in the identification and development of practices and technologies to produce net-zero energy buildings. This briefing will outline the activities underway by the Consortium.

All Week • Virtual Congressional Visits Days, Nationwide

Individuals from across the country engaged in all aspects of high-performance buildings are encouraged to contact their federal, state, and local representatives to share the importance of high-performance buildings to the economy and to achieving our national goals.

High-Performance Building Week 2010 is chaired by the National Institute of Building Sciences. Additional information on all the planned events is available at www.hpbccc.org/hpbweek. For more information contact Ryan Colker (rcolker@nibs.org, 202-289-7800).