Almost 500 Businesses Send Letter Urging Rejection of Proposal Repealing Section 433 of Energy Independence and Security Act

Washington, D.C. – April 30, 2015 – The American Institute of Architects (AIA) and nearly 500 businesses from across the country today urged Congress to reject special interest efforts to repeal the law setting goals for reducing fossil fuel use in federal buildings by 2030.

The letter comes as energy committees in both houses of Congress begin hearings today on various pieces of energy legislation containing provisions that repeal Section 433 of the Energy Independence and Security Act.

“As we have said previously: efforts to gut federal energy laws in the name of energy efficiency just do not make any sense,” said AIA President Elizabeth Chu Richter, FAIA. “As this letter indicates, hundreds of companies oppose any legislation that would undermine taxpayers’ ability to save money by conserving energy.”

The letter states that design and construction companies across the country are already designing buildings that meet, and in some cases exceed, the current targets in Section 433. “In fact, Section 433 has enabled design firms to develop new design strategies that they are now using to help private-sector clients reduce their energy loads,” the letter states.

A full text of the letter can be found here. A “Myth vs. Fact” document about Section 433 of EISA can be found here.

About The American Institute of Architects
Founded in 1857, the American Institute of Architects consistently work to create more valuable, healthy, secure, and sustainable buildings, neighborhoods, and communities. Through nearly 300 state and local chapters, the AIA advocates for public policies that promote economic vitality and public wellbeing. Members adhere to a code of ethics and conduct to ensure the highest professional standards. The AIA provides members with tools and resources to assist them in their careers and business as well as engaging civic and government leaders and the public to find solutions to pressing issues facing our communities, institutions, nation and world. Visit www.aia.org.

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