ASHRAE’s Advocacy Program Gains Ground since July 2005 Launch

ASHRAE’s advocacy program, designed to provide technical input to government in developing programs related to the built environment, has expanded its presence in Washington, D.C., through activities such as World Standards Day, organizing a roundtable for related organizations and sponsoring a Washington Fellow.

“The ASHRAE Government Affairs Office and the Advocacy Committee have been working hard to position ASHRAE as a leading source of expertise in the built environment and a resource for policymakers in developing legislation and regulations affecting the public, the HVAC&R community, and the engineering profession,” said Kent Peterson, chair of the Advocacy Committee.

As part of those efforts, ASHRAE is helping to administer World Standards Day on October 18 in Washington, D.C. The goal of World Standards Day is to raise awareness of the importance of global standardization to the world economy and to promote ASHRAE’s role in meeting the needs of business, industry, government, and consumers worldwide. The event, which consists of a reception and dinner, was first held in 1970 and is co-chaired in the United States by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).Engineering and Technology Working Group, of which ASHRAE is a member, the event brings together engineers of all disciplines to meet with Congressional members and staff and officials from the President’s Office of Science and Technology Policy to help improve scientific policies within the federal government. ASHRAE is hosting the event’s Capitol Hill breakfast at which Rep. Bart Gordon, chairman of the House Science Committee, will preside. 

Other ASHRAE Washington activities include:

ASHRAE’s participant for 2007 is Anatoly Zeltser, Kansas State University. For more information, visit https://www.wise-intern.org/ .

Sponsorship of a one-year fellowship in Washington, D.C., that will allow the participant to work in the federal government in a technical advisory role.

Creation of the High Performance Building and Energy Efficiency Roundtable, which provides opportunity for professional and technical societies, trade groups, government agencies, and other interested organizations involved in “the built environment” to explore opportunities for collaboration and cooperation.

Support of the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Education Coalition, which supports STEM programs for teachers and students at the U. S. Department of Education, the National Science Foundation, and other agencies that offer STEM-related programs.

Hosting of Congressional briefings, such as one held in December 2006 focusing on Commercial Building Tax Incentives and one held last month regarding opportunities to limit greenhouse gas emissions. Representatives Bart Gordon (D-TN) and Judy Biggert (R-IL), of the House Science and Technology Committee, were featured speakers.

Do you have experience and expertise with the topics mentioned in this content? You should consider contributing to our WTWH Media editorial team and getting the recognition you and your company deserve. Click here to start this process.