Peterson is to speak during “Building Green, Saving Green: Constructing Sustainable and Energy-Efficient Buildings,” a hearing in front of the Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming.
He is expected to speak about the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-conditioning Engineers’ role in writing higher-efficiency building codes.
“Today’s buildings mortgage our energy and environmental future,” Peterson said. “In the past, Standard 90.1 and other guidance from ASHRAE focused on minimum requirements to save energy. Recognizing that we must do more, ASHRAE is looking ahead to producing advanced energy-design guidance, with the goal of net-zero energy buildings. We welcome the opportunity to stress the need for a more energy efficient future before the House committee.”
Rep. Edward Markey (D-Mass.), chairman of the committee, said he welcomed the society’s expertise.
“As Congress examines all sources and causes of global warming emissions, it must consider how the buildings we work and live in can contribute to reduce the impact of climate change,” Markey said. “ASHRAE’s standards offer a foundation for energy-efficient buildings, and the committee is interested in how building codes can be used to increase the number of green buildings throughout the nation.”
