For Immediate Release: June 28, 2019 
Contact: Kevin McKenney, (202) 367-2480


NLBMDA Applauds House Reintroduction of
Energy Code Legislation  
     
[Washington DC] - The National Lumber and Building Material Dealers Association (NLBMDA) is applauding reintroduction of the Energy Savings and Building Efficiency Act (H.R. 3586), sponsored by Rep. Kurt Schrader (D-OR). This important bill defines the Department of Energy's (DOE) role in new model energy code development and guarantees that certain products and technologies are not given preferential treatment. 

“NLBMDA is pleased to see the reintroduction of the Energy Savings and Building Efficiency Act in the House and thanks Congressman Schrader for leading this bill,” said NLBMDA President & CEO Jonathan Paine. “This bill is an important step towards increasing transparency, ensuring product neutrality, and promoting cost-effectiveness in the energy code development process, which has the ability to affect the residential and commercial construction markets. We will continue to work with the Senate and other industry groups on a companion bill, along with ways to enact this legislation into law.”

The language of this bill seeks to define DOE's role in code development by:  

  • Increasing Transparency: Requires the Department of Energy (DOE) to publish energy savings targets, code change proposals and all supporting analysis and methodology in the Federal Register and accept public comment;
  • Ensuring Product and Technology-Neutrality: Strengthens DOE's role as a neutral, technical advisor, but prohibits DOE from advocating for certain products/technologies; and,
  • Promoting Cost-Effectiveness: Requires any code or proposal supported by DOE to have a simple payback (increased compliance costs should be paid back through utility savings) of 10 years or less.

NLBMDA will continue to work for passage of this legislation. For questions, contact Kevin McKenney at kevin@dealer.org .  

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The National Lumber and Building Material Dealers Association (NLBMDA) represents its members in the national public policy arena, with emphasis on efforts to 1) promote the industry and educate legislators and public policy personnel; and 2) assist legislative, regulatory, standard-setting and other government or private bodies in the development of laws, regulations and policies affecting lumber and building material dealers, its customers and suppliers. Founded in 1917, the association has over 6,000 members operating single or multiple lumber yards and component plants serving homebuilders, subcontractors, general contractors, and consumers in the new construction, repair and remodeling of residential and light commercial.