ASHRAE and ARI to Host Congressional Staff Briefing

The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) and The Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute (ARI) will host an upcoming congressional staff briefing highlighting the role of tax incentives in promoting increased energy efficiency and of U.S. manufacturing in meeting efficiency goals.

The Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute (ARI) is a trade association representing manufacturers of air conditioning and commercial refrigeration equipment. ASHRAE is an international organization of 55,000 members and says its mission is the advancement of heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration to serve humanity and promote a sustainable world through research, standards writing, publishing and continuing education.

ASHRAE and ARI say the briefing will feature three panelists who will discuss commercial building tax deductions for energy efficiency and will be held Dec. 7, 2006, in the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington, D.C.

According to both groups, the Energy Policy Act of 2005 included a new tax incentive to improve the energy efficiency of commercial buildings and the "Commercial Building Tax Deduction" establishes a tax deduction for expenses related to the design and installation of energy-efficient commercial building systems. The provision currently is effective for property placed in service from Jan. 1, 2006, through Dec. 31, 2007.

"Concerns have been raised within the building industry that the ending date of the deduction does not allow enough lead time for design and installation of some systems - particularly given the lack of finalized regulations regarding some aspects of the deductions," said Terry Townsend, P.E., president of ASHRAE.

According to Townsend, encouraging greater energy efficiency through tax incentives and other means can help reduce the nation's dependence on foreign sources of energy, reduce the emission of greenhouse gases and other pollutants, and build the economy through the development of new technologies and decreases in energy-related expenses.

William G. Sutton, president of ARI said, "Incentives for replacing older, inefficient commercial and residential air-conditioning systems leads to the installation of highly-efficient equipment that uses more environmentally-friendly refrigerants, helping America meet its energy conservation and clean air targets."

Speakers will include:

• Steven Rosenstock, P.E., manager, energy solutions, Edison Electric Institute, who will examine economic issues surrounding the tax deduction;
• Harry Misuriello, manager, energy efficiency strategies, Owens Corning, who will represent ASHRAE in discussing the technical aspects of energy efficiency;
• Kyle Pitsor, vice president of government relations, National Electrical Manufacturers Association, who will present on efficiency opportunities and the tax deductions.

www.ashrae.org or www.ari.org