NACA Members | Past Issues | Key Contacts

.Volume 4, No. 26

July 18, 200808

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....ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT

House Hearing Focuses on Building Energy Codes

The U.S. House of Representatives’ Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality on Thursday held a hearing to learn how “greening” homes and businesses can aid in controlling climate change.

The eight panelists—representing builders, architects, federal agencies, and code officials—provided the testimony. The general consensus was that more energy-efficient buildings can help in reducing greenhouse gas emissions by reducing energy demand. The difference lies in the manner of implementation.

The arguments centered on whether the federal government should set a national energy code model with a mandated energy efficiency goal, or alternatively, let state and local jurisdictions set the criteria.

A similar discussion took place last year during the debate on the Energy Independence Security Act of 2007. That legislation, enacted as PL 110-140, originally contained language that would have set an energy code mandate. The language was stripped before it went to the President for signature, however.

Contact John Sullivan.

...ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT

Senate Panel Examines Nuclear Power Permit Process

Amid concerns of rising fuel costs, the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works’ subcommittee on Clean Air and Nuclear Safety, held a hearing on Wednesday to discuss fast tracking permits for the construction of new nuclear power plants.

Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) Chairman Dale Klein testified that since September 2007, the NRC has received applications for construction of 15 nuclear power plants and is expecting to receive 11 more applications for another 16 plants by the end of 2009.

Subcommittee Chairman Tom Carper (D-Del.) said “Nuclear energy is a viable, carbon-free option to help meet our growing electricity needs.” He further suggested that in the next decade, there could be as many as 34 new nuclear power plants to supplement the current 104 operating plants, which provide roughly 20 percent of electricity to the United States.

Representatives from the NRC on the witness panel were criticized for having too lengthy of a permitting process and for not adequately taking into account safety factors. Senators urged the NRC to amend and streamline their permitting process while incorporating safety concerns.

Contact Kevin Walgenbach.

...ABOUT NACA

Washington Briefing is published weekly by the North American Concrete Alliance (NACA). The newsletter summarizes the government affairs activities of the cement and concrete industry partners of this industry alliance.

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