Recently in Trade Associations Category

Trade associations provide a variety of best practices information such as conferences, newsletters, websites and networking meetings.  Here are some of the many trade associations for building contractors.

• ABC -- Associated Builders and Contractors

• ACCA -- Air Conditioning Contractors of America

• ACEC -- American Consulting Engineers Council

• AGC -- Associated General Contractors

• AIA -- American Institute of Architects 

• APWA -- American Public Works Association

• ASCE -- American Society of Civil Engineers

• ASID -- American Society of Interior Designers

• ASA -- American Subcontractors Association

• AWCI -- Association of Wall and Ceiling Industry

• CSI -- Construction Specification Institute

• NAHB -- National Association of Home Builders

• NAWC -- National Association of Women in Construction

• NECA -- National Electrical Contractors Association

• NFPA -- National Fire Protection Association

• NRCA -- National Roofing Contractors Association

• WAPTAC -- Weatherization Assistance Program Technical Assistance Center

• AABE -- American Association of Blacks in Energy

Efficiency First, a new trade association formed for energy efficiency contractors in 2009, is working with DOL (Department of Labor) and DOE (Department of Energy) to create a new job classification for weatherization worker and weatherization crew chief. This should help in terms of ARRA (American Recovery & Reinvestment Act) funds.

But all stimulus funds do require prevailing wage.

In terms of climate bill. The Efficiency First trade association  has successfully lobbied to exclude REEP from prevailing wage requirements for all buildings except commercial over 6000 sq. Ft.

 

GOAL:  6 million new green-collar jobs.

Efficiency First is a nonprofit trade association that unites

• Home Performance contractors,
• residential energy consultants,
• building product manufacturers
• and other key members of America's growing green-collar workforce

Efficiency First advocates using the federal Home Performance with ENERGY STAR program as a standard model for efficiency retrofitting, including third-party verification. National contractor and auditor certification and accreditation should be mandated through RESNET (Residential Energy Services Network), BPI (Building Performance Institute) or other qualified accreditation agencies who conduct independent, third-party quality assurance on the work performed.

Together they intend to escalate the fight against global warming. Efficiency First was founded in 2009 to represent its members in public policy discussions at the state and national levels, to promote the benefits of Home Performance retrofitting, and to help our industry grow to meet unprecedented demand for quality home retrofitting services.

Our mission is to collaborate with legislators, government agencies and professional organizations in the advancement of a performance-based market for energy efficiency that will enable rapid growth in our industry while maintaining profitability and quality of service.

"Our goal is to see a steady run rate of
10 million home retrofits per year by 2020."

According to the Pew Center on Global Climate Change, residential buildings alone generate over 20 percent of carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuel consumption in the United States.

Because the vast majority of America's 128 million homes do not operate anywhere near peak efficiency, large-scale retrofitting of existing residential buildings will play a key role in achieving significant greenhouse gas reductions, while lowering residential energy bills, improving indoor air quality and thermal comfort, reducing our dependence on foreign oil, and creating millions of new jobs for American workers.

The home retrofitting industry can achieve a 25% or greater decrease in non-renewable energy consumption by America's housing sector, leading to a 5% decrease in the country's overall carbon emissions - equivalent to taking half of all current passenger cars off the road.

The industry will employ at least 1.25 million American workers directly, and with the inclusion of manufacturing and other supporting industries, will generate up 6 million new green-collar jobs.

The Center for State Innovation (CSI) promotes solutions for America's current challenges that with bold, innovative, progressive leadership from states.

CSI's commitment is to supply interested governors and other state executives with the best policy solutions and technical and strategic expertise in providing that leadership.

CSI is committed to a "high road" of shared prosperity, environmental sustainability, and efficient democratic government.

Technical Assistance for Effective Policy Implementation In addition to policy experts on its own staff, CSI has organized a national network of leading technical assistance providers with proven track records in effectively implementing progressive policies at the state and national level. CSI connects state executives and staff to this network.

Energy and Infrastructure Reports

Center for State Innovation
http://www.stateinnovation.org