For Immediate Release: December 3, 2015
Contact: Kevin Mckenney, (202) 367-1157
WDMA Applauds Passage of Comprehensive Energy Legislation
House Bill Contains Building Code Language Supported by WDMA
[Washington DC] - The Window and Door Manufacturers Association (WDMA) is pleased that the House of Representatives passed the North American Energy Security and Infrastructure Act (H.R. 8) today, by a vote of 249 to 171.
The bill includes a WDMA-backed provision sponsored by Reps. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Kurt Schrader (D-OR) known as "Blackburn/Schrader," which 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.
The "Blackburn/Schrader" language 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.
WDMA will now focus on the Senate and its efforts to pass comprehensive energy legislation that includes the House language defining DOE's role in the code development process. For questions and concerns, contact Kevin McKenney, Director of Government Affairs, at [email protected] or 202-367-2480.
