HARDI and Member Munch Supply Promote Energy Efficiency

This morning Bob Munch and Keith Kramer from Munch Supply Co. and I participated in an Environmental Roundtable at the invitation of Congresswoman Melissa Bean (IL-8). Representative Bean is the sponsor of H.R. 2198, an accelerated depreciation bill for commercial HVACR equipment, and has been a vocal supporter of HVACR incentives as primary drivers of energy efficiency. The Congresswoman's roundtable meeting included approximately 20 x-industry manufacturers, contractors, consultants, and other energy-related businesses which were invited to discuss the succeesses and challenges from the recent stimulus bill, American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Munch and Kramer reported how the residential tax credits have driven interest in high-efficiency HVAC products and increased sales of high efficiency furnaces, but may have set the qualifying bar too high to drive significant A/C and heat pump sales. They also described the difficulties Illinois has had in deploying weatherization funding authorized by the stimulus bill. HARDI urged greater industry involvement in energy efficiency policy making to ensure that policy and incentives are realistic and deliverable. HARDI also conveyed our concerns for provisions in the proposed House climate change bill that could deter energy efficiency improvements and construction due to overly aggressive energy codes and standards. Here is a copy of Bob Munch’s public statement from the meeting.