IFMA Sustainability Committee Hosts January Meeting of the High Performance Building Congressional Caucus Coalition

Government Relations: Monthly Legislative Update February 2010

On Jan. 28, Eric Teicholz and Chris Hodges conducted a briefing on behalf of the IFMA sustainability committee for the High Performance Building Congressional Caucus Coalition (HPBCCC). The briefing, held in room 340 of the Rayburn House Office Building, was well attended by congressional staff, coalition partners and members of the Capital Chapter of IFMA.

The goal of the briefing was to provide an overview of the ISC’s current efforts and the tactical and strategic approaches to sustainability in the built environment. Additionally, Chris and Eric were able to provide easily understandable examples of the effects of incorporating sustainable practices and the impact those practices can have on both workplace productivity and a company’s bottom line.

IFMA sits on the executive committee of the HPBCCC and has been working with our coalition partners for the past two years to provide information and perspective to Congress and the Obama administration. The caucus was formed to heighten awareness and inform policymakers about the major impact buildings have on our health, safety and welfare and the opportunities to design, construct and operate high-performance buildings that reflect our concern for these impacts.

As part of these efforts, the caucus has made a series of policy recommendations and is currently working with several congressional offices to enact legislation that will improve building performance in both the public and private sector. The caucus host’s monthly briefings for congressional staffers and continually seeks to raise the profile of these issues.

For more information on the HPBCCC or to find out how you can attend an upcoming briefing, please visit the caucus Web site at www.hpbccc.org or contact Jeff Johnson, IFMA’s director of government affairs, at Jeffrey.Johnson@ifma.org.