 |
 | |
|---|---|---|
|
If Energy Impacts
Your Business, Read This. Earth Day 2008 took place April 22. About a week after that day, in looking through the contents of my son’s backpack, I came across a crumpled slip of paper. On the paper was a “Pledge of Allegiance to the…Earth”, which read in much the same way as our Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. For the record, count me pro-Earth (and in support of the Flag). The energy debate sweeping the public consciousness spans from global conservation and organic sustainable living to the highly complex issues of solar energy and zero energy commercial buildings – not to mention my son’s school room. Energy as a public policy issue is spawning legislative, code, and regulatory efforts that could dramatically alter how GANA members do business. Legislation: On June 2, the Senate debated “America's Climate Security Act” introduced by Senators Lieberman and Warner. The bill would create a "cap-and-trade" system to curb emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG), notably carbon dioxide, which is produced when fossil fuels are burned. Companies in capped industries [such as glass] would get permits to emit a set amount of emissions each year. Those that emit more than they are allotted would have to buy additional permits from those that got more than they needed. Senate Republicans cut short this debate by threatening a filibuster (and Senate Democrats did not have the necessary 60 votes to break the filibuster). However, both remaining candidates for president support carbon emission regulation and the makeup of the Senate is sure to change after November’s election. These factors ensure that GHG regulation will be brought up again in 2009. In February, GANA’s FGMD appointed a Climate Change Committee that is currently tracking GHG regulation. The committee has met by conference call and met with GHG regulation stakeholders in Washington, DC in May. The next Climate Change Committee meetings with GHG regulation stakeholders in DC is tentatively scheduled for August. Regulation: The EPA is currently in the process of creating regulations to establish the mandatory reporting of greenhouse gases (GHG). The federal effort comes on the heels of a state level effort in California. GANA will continue to track this effort. Codes: The primary vehicle for GANA code advocacy will continue to be the Glazing Industry Code Committee (GICC). The GICC contracts with top notch code consultants who represent the glazing industry in front of the International Code Committee (ICC) and regulatory agencies. The GICC reports that there is a growing conflict between the efficiency mandates contained in the International Residential Code® (IRC) and the International Energy Conservation Code® (IECC). This conflict mirrors the larger code debate dealing with code mandated energy efficiency (and at what cost those efficiencies are to be gained). Emerging Energy Opportunities: In early 2008, DOE began work with the glass industry in an effort to promote the use of solar energy. Currently, DOE is examining options for funding an increased solar effort, possibly through grants from the federal government. In May, GANA Vice President Mike Ondrus addressed DOE and solar industry stakeholders in the form of a ‘Glass 101’ presentation. As of May, 2008 GANA is a member of the United States Green Building Council (USGBC). This membership should facilitate additional understanding of the USGBC LEED Certification Program and allow GANA to be at the forefront of the green building movement. A final note on GANA allies in the glass industry. Last week, I attended the AAMA National Summer Conference with GANA Technical Director Greg Carney and Assistant Technical Director, Urmilla Sowell. Rich Walker and the AAMA staff put on a top notch conference and AAMA is ahead of the curve when it comes to the energy debate and green building. AAMA’s ‘Green Initiatives’ will be an effort to watch and align with as the energy debate moves forward. | ||
 |
||
 |
 |
By
Bill Yanek, GANA Executive Vice President