What's New At RESNET

Congress Adjourns Without Passing Energy Legislation - Work Already Begun on Package for Next Session
 
Congress adjourned its lame duck session without coming to an agreement on energy legislation.  This means that the tax credit for residential energy efficiency tax credits were not passed.  Already the Bush Administration, the House and Senate Energy Committee's have announced that enacting an energy bill will be a priority for the new Congress that will meet in 2003.  Because of election results, the Republicans will control the House and Senate.  This means that Senator Pete Domenici (R-NM) will replace Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) as chair of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee
 
Already work has begun in crafting language for residential energy efficiency tax credits.  RESNET is working with other interested organizations such as the Natural Resources Defense Council in developing a consensus on language of tax credits building upon what the House and Senate passed last session.
 
Momentum Grows for 2003 RESNET Conference
 
Businesses and organizations are jumping on the bandwagon to me part of the momentum generated by the RESNET Conference.  To date the following have signed up to be conference sponsors
  • Fannie Mae
  • Environmental Protection Agency
  • U.S. Department of Energy
  • California Home Energy Efficiency Rating System
  • California ENERGY STAR Homes Program
GeoPraxis, Inc. has signed up to be a conference patron.
 
The following have committed to be conference supporters:
  • Architectural Energy Corporation
  • Cardinal Glass Industries
  • Conservation Services Group
  • Energy Inspectors
  • Energy Rated Homes of Utah
  • Energy Sense Systems
  • Florida Solar Energy Center
  • Guaranteed Watt Saver Systems
  • IBACOS, Inc.
  • Kansas Building Science Institute
  • MaGrann Associates
  • Nelrod Company
  • Northeast Utilities 
  • NSpects
  • Pacific Gas and Electric
  • San Diego Gas & Electric
  • San Diego Regional Energy Office
  • Southern California Edison
  • Tempo Energy Partners
  • Thermo-Scan Inspections
  • Vermont Energy Investment Corporation
  • Wisconsin Energy Conservation Corporation
Affordable Comfort, Inc. and the Energy and Environmental Building Association are conference partners.
 
For more information on the conference's sponsors and supporters click on http://www.natresnet.org/conference/2003/sponsors.htm

 

RESNET Needs You:  To be a Supporter of the 2003 RESNET Conference
 
RESNET is seeking Conference Supporters for the 2003 RESNET Conference. The RESNET Conference presents an excellent opportunity to boost the movement towards market-driven residential energy efficiency initiatives. Your organization can demonstrate its leadership in this effort by being a 2003 RESNET Conference Supporter.  Being a conference supporter provides the following benefits:
  • High industry and national visibility
  • Recognition in conference publicity

  • One complimentary conference registration

To be a 2003 RESNET Conference Supporter, please click on http://www.natresnet.org/conference/2003/supporter.htm
 
Don't Be Left Out - Register Now for the RESNET Conference
 
The 2003 RESNET Conference promises to be the event of the year in the fields of energy ratings and energy mortgages.  There is limited seating and registrations are flowing in, so register today.  You can register on-line at www.natresnet.org/conference/2003/registration.asp
 
There are a limited of rooms at the conference hotel, the Shelter Pointe Hotel and Marina, so make your reservations to ensure that you get a room in this fablous hotel on beautiful San Diego bay.  For registation information click on www.natresnet.org/conference/2003/hotel.htm
 
RESNET Board of Directors Expanded
 
In order to better represent the entire rating industry the RESNET Board of Directors Have Been Expanded.  Recently elected to the RESNET board are:
 
Rating Providers Representatives
  • Ben Adams, MaGrann Associates
  • Kelly Parker, Guaranteed Watt Saver Systems
Rater Representatives
  • Mark Jansen, Indiana
  • Gayle Sampson, Ohio
  • Daran Wastchak, Arizona
Rating Software Developers Representative
  • Michael Holtz, Architectural Energy Corporation
Associate Members Representative
  • David Goldstein, Natural Resources Defense Council
For a listing of the full RESNET Board of Directors click on http://www.natresnet.org/inside/board.htm
 
EPA Seeking Rating Industry Input on Sampling Protocol
 
The 2002 RESNET Conference featured a roundtable dialog on sampling for verifying ENERGY STAR labeled homes.  After the session, EPA solicited input from members of the rating industry.  The results of this dialog is included in the "Dialog on Sampled Verification of ENERGY STAR Homes" that was prepared by EPA.

At the EEBA Conference represenatives of RESNET agreed with EPA that RESNET would serve as the facilitator on securing input from the rating industry to EPA on proposed changes to the ENERGY STAR Homes Program that would effect the rating industry.  EPA is considering making changes to its sampling protocol and is seeking input from the rating industry.

RESNET is facilitating the input of the rating industry on the proposed changes.  RESNET will compile the input and prepare a response to EPA based upon your input.  The deadline for submitting comments to RESNET is January 10, 2003.

If you are interested in receiving the "Dialog on Sampled Verification of ENERGY STAR Homes" and EPA's proposed changes to the sampling protocol e-mail RESNET at resnet@earthlink.net
 
RESNET Advocates Viable Performance Path to the International Energy Conservation Code
 
RESNET has joined the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and the Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC) in support  of  a robust building performance path to energy codes.
 
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has proposed a Comprehensive Residential Code for the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC).  The DOE proposal is posted at www.energycodes.gov/implement/doe_2004_proposals.stm.
 
In a letter to DOE signed by David Goldstein of NRDC; Philip Fairey of FSEC; and Steve Baden of RESNET, it was urged that DOE use the following principles in developing a comprehensive code change:
¥ Increased requirements for energy efficiency
¥ Development of a national, consistent, and workable performance path
¥ Development of prescriptive packages and other compliance aids that are founded on the performance path and therefore are consistent with it.

The following problems with the DOE proposal were identified:
¥ It allows unlimited glazing area which, as shown in the DOE analysis, will lead to increased energy use and peak demand, particularly in southern climates.
¥ The proposal does not allow sufficient flexibility through a robust performance approach that is easy to use, implement, and inspect, and
¥ The energy efficiency of the proposed change does not include all measures that are cost-effective and technologically feasible, despite the legal requirement to do so.
 
The three organizations urged DOE to develop a broader code change proposal.  The following recommendations were offered:
¥ Work with RESNET and other advocates to develop a robust performance specification for the International Performance Code for Buildings and Facilities.
¥ Support certification of all software used for code compliance.
¥ Base the prescriptive approach on the performance specification above.
¥ Cap glazing area at 18% of floor area in the prescriptive approach.
¥ Include new technologies and practices that are cost-effective and technically feasible.
 
The RESNET, NRDC. FSEC letter is posted on RESNETÕs web site at www.natresnet.org/iecc_doe.htm/The 2002
 
Updates to RESNET's Web Site:
 
DECEMBER MEMBERS NEWS
 
+     Architectural Energy Corporation Releases REM/Rate Version 11
+     2003 Southwest Energy Rater Training Opportunities
+     NE HERS Alliance Rater Certification Update
+     Upcoming ENERGY STAR Logo Changes
+     ENERGY STAR Homes Shines in Tennessee
+     Energy Rated Homes of the South Technical Director Recieves Certification
+     A Guide for Creating a Healthier Home
+     Applications for National Green Building Awards 2003 Available
+     Better Buildings by Design Conference 2003
+     Building Energy 2003 Conference and Trade Show
+     2003 National Workshop on State Building Codes
+     The International Energy Program Evaluation Conference Call for Abstracts
+     Energy Management Conference 2003
+     New Roofs for a New Century
+     Energy Conservation News
+     Best Practices Guide on Dust Collection/Blower Systems
+     Wind Energy and Power Markets Conference
+     Concrete Home.Com
 
 
Newly Accredited Rating Providers
 
+    Builders Choice Diagnostic Services, LLC (Arizona, Idaho, Iowa, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas)
+    Southwest Gas Energy Advantage PLUS (Arizona)
+    Williams Insulation (Texas)
 
NEW RESNET MEMBERS:
 
+    Advanced Energy of Wisconsin
+    Anderson County's Yankee Site Services
+    Building Science Corporation
+    Douglas Beaman Associates
+    Garage Venting Systems Co., LLC
+    Great Energy Systems
+    Southwest Energy Efficiency Project
+    Steel Skeleton, Inc.
+    Thermal Masters
 
View these new members listings at http://www.natresnet.org/dir/members/default.htm
 
DIRECTORY OF CERTIFIED RATERS
 
Updated listings for:
 
+   Arizona
+   Arkansas
+   Connecticut
+   Delaware
+   New Jersey
+   New York
+   Ohio
+   Oregon
+   Pennsylvania
+`  Rhode Island
+   Texas
+   Wisconsin
 
 
 
NOT A MEMBER OF RESNET?
 
JOIN RESNET TODAY!
 
RESNET is your information source on the latest developments in the dynamic field of residential energy efficiency financing.  Residential energy efficiency and housing industry professionals find RESNET Notes as an indispensable tool for planning and implementing home energy rating, energy mortgage, and market-drive residential energy efficiency programs.  Join RESNET today!
 
You can join RESNET on-line at http://www.natresnet.org/inside/memprem.asp



©2001, 2002 GWSSI, OKC, OK. All rights reserved.
Last updated on 11/30/02.