EESI’s Ellen Vaughan to Testify about High Performance Green Buildings

EESI Policy Director Ellen Vaughan will speak at a hearing entitled “Green Building Practices in the Public Sector: Progress and Challenges to Date” before the Subcommittee on Management, Organization and Procurement, part of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. The hearing will examine the extent to which the federal government has incorporated “green,” high performance building practices into the renovation and construction of existing and new U.S. government buildings in accordance with the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA) and Executive Order 13514.

Energy efficiency savings, performance outcome measurements, funding constraints, and the use of green building practices to reduce the consumption of energy, water, and materials and promote a healthy and productive workplace will also be addressed. EISA defines a high-performance building as one that optimizes energy conservation, environment safety, security, durability, accessibility, cost-benefit, productivity, sustainability, functionality, and operational considerations.

“The federal government has an opportunity to lead by example," says Vaughan. "By requiring an integrated design approach and procurement standards to ensure that their own buildings are energy efficient and high performing, the government can stimulate the market.” The hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, July 21 at 10:00 a.m. in room 2154 of the Rayburn House Office Building.