Changes to the ENERGY STAR for Homes Program

EPA has posted its proposed changes to the ENERGY STAR for Homes Program. The changes are a result of the input it received from the first round of the public review and comment process. EPA has opened a second round of public review and comment process through December 16, 2009. To view the proposed revisions, revised quality checklists, EPA's response to the first round of comments, and an online form to submit your comments on the proposed revision click on http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=bldrs_lenders_raters.nh_2011_comments

RESNET Posts Preliminary Sessions to be Offered at the 2010 RESNET Conference

RESNET has posted the preliminary listing and descriptions of the breakout sessions that will be offered at the 2010 RESNET Building Performance Conference. The conference will offer 70 breakout sessions that will include special Home Performance with ENERGY STAR, North Carolina ENERGY STAR and Advanced Energy Building Science tracks. The sessions that were selected were result of a nomination process that resulted in over 160 nominations and an online vote in which over 430 persons participated. To view the preliminary listing of sessions click on http://www.resnet.us/conference/2010/sessions.pdf

RESNET Proposes Amendments to the National Home Energy Rating Standards

RESNET has submitted a set of proposed amendments to the Mortgage Industry National Home Energy Rating Standards for the standard amendment public review and comment process.

The proposed amendments are:

Editorial Revision of RESNET Quality Assurance Procedures
Proposed by the RESNET Quality Assurance and Ethics CommitteeThe RESNET Standards have quality assurance (QA) requirements stipulated throughout the various chapters, making it confusing for the Rating Industry to have a clear understanding of all of the RESNET QA requirements, how these requirements affect them and what, exactly, they are responsible for. To address these issues, the RESNET Quality Assurance and Ethics Committee has undertaken an extensive Standards revisions process with two goals in mind. The first goal is to consolidate all of the RESNET QA requirements into a new chapter in the Standards.
Rater Trainer Minimum Competencies
Proposed by the RESNET Training and Education CommitteeRequires rater trainers having minimum training in training adults.
Revision of Process of Amending RESNET Standards
Proposed by the RESNET Standards CommitteeAmends process for approving amendments to RESNET Standards.

Public comments on all of the proposals will be accepted until December 1, 2009.

To view the proposed amendments click on http://www.resnet.us/standards/mortgage/amendments/2009/2009-02/default.htm

To submit comments on any of the proposed amendments click on http://www.resnet.us/standards/mortgage/amendments/comment.aspx?SeriesID=18 Comments are posted real time and you will be able to review comments that were submitted by clicking on http://www.resnet.us/standards/mortgage/amendments/comments.aspx?SeriesID=18

At the completion of the comment period, the RESNET Training and Education Committee will review the comments and revise the amendment where appropriate. The amendment will then be submitted to the Amendment Revision Committee that is composed of three representatives of the rating industry and three representatives of state energy offices. The RESNET Board will then consider the recommendations of the revision committee and vote on whether to adopt the amendments.

U.S. Green Building Council Accepting Applications for LEED for Homes Providers

The U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED for Homes program is seeking LEED for Homes Providers. New LEED for Homes Providers will be selected based on a combination of criteria:

· Existing builder and multi-family developer relationships, with strong capabilities to gain market traction for LEED for Homes in their respective markets.
· The company’s demonstrated ability to train and supervise green raters.
· The organization’s knowledge, depth and experience in the fields of green homebuilding (including energy efficiency, IEQ, water efficiency, and sustainable use of materials and land).

The Request for Qualification (RFQ) application will be available on Monday October 19th. Interested organizations can download the RFQ documents at http://www.usgbc.org/homes.

Applications are due by Monday November 30th, 2009.

Exclusive Free Webinar for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Companies

Senate Climate and Energy Bill: Key Elements for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Wednesday, October 21, 2009 - 2:00 to ~ 3:00 pm, EST

Go to www.efficiencycouncil.org/webinar.html to register

Please register by COB October 20th – only 500 companies/callers can be accommodated!

Registration is free, but you must register as information is intended only for energy efficiency and renewable energy companies

This webinar will discuss the Senate’s draft climate and clean energy legislation, the Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act (CEJAPA). Following a quick summary of the House’s American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACES) of 2009, we will provide an overview of CEJAPA. CEJAPA includes a pollution reduction and investment plan designed to reduce economy-wide greenhouse gas emissions 20 percent by 2020. Other provisions include energy efficiency incentives, support for renewable energy, and grants for green jobs. CEJAPA is supported by the Obama Administration. The Senate is now reviewing the draft, and businesses like yours have a powerful voice to impact the contents of the final bill! Greg Nelson, White House Office of Public Liaison Associate Director of Energy, Environment, and Technology, along with industry experts will discuss the contents of the Senate bill; compare it to the House bill, with a focus on key energy efficiency and renewable provisions; discuss potential alternatives; and outline the expected timeline for legislative action. Industry representatives will also explain the importance of the legislation to the industry and invite participants to show their support and tell them how.

RESNET Adopts New Procedures of Proctoring of RESNET National Tests

In order to achieve the goal of allocating more time for rater candidates to be in the classroom and the field as part of rater training, the RESNET Training and Education Committee have adopted new procedures for the proctoring of the RESNET National Tests. Rater training providers will now be given the option for rater candidates to have their test proctored by an independent third party institution. In addition the committee restricted eligible third party proctoring institutions to:

Schools
Colleges
Libraries
Independent Testing Centers

The new procedures goes into effect immediately. The amended procedures for proctoring of RESNET tests are posted at http://www.resnet.us/programs/training/proctoring.htm

Rate homes from a greener perspective. 2-day training event - November 9-10, 2009 - Arizona

Grand Resort, Phoenix, AZ Course qualifies for BPI and RESNET CEUs.Discover the “bigger green picture” and get invaluable content to help you better rate a home’s durability and energy efficiency. Hear from building science experts as they discuss principles such as the control of heat, air, moisture and IAQ and how to apply them to homes you are rating. Take this course and start the process of becoming a representative for the Environments For Living® program. Details available at the training event. Presentation by: John Toley, Senior Building Science Consultant. Register Online at environmentsforliving.com Register by Phone: (866) 912-7233