Federal Buildings Personnel Training Act of 2010

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 3250) to provide for the training of Federal building personnel, and for other purposes.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on S. 3250.

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of S. 3250. This bill has bipartisan sponsorships in the Senate by Senators Carper and Collins. It is the Federal Buildings Personnel Training Act. The legislation passed the Senate by unanimous consent, and it is identical to H.R. 5112, introduced by me and my Republican colleague, Representative Judy Biggert of Illinois. The bill also passed out of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee on a voice vote.

At a time when many people are tired of partisan gridlock here in Washington, I believe this legislation is a good example of what we can do when we work across the aisle to accomplish commonsense legislation that will safeguard taxpayer investments, will provide certainty to small business and, most importantly, will save taxpayers money.

Madam Speaker, when we invest in our Federal facilities, we also need to invest in the people operating and maintaining them. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act included a substantial investment of $5.5 billion apportioned to the GSA to upgrade its facilities. In order to safeguard this substantial investment, I want to ensure that GSA and other Federal agencies have the tools necessary to properly maintain and operate these buildings at their highest performance levels.

Late last year, a Government Accountability Office report found that a lack of proper expertise and training was a major challenge for the Federal Government in reaching its energy reduction goals. This legislation will fill the training gap. Most importantly, by filling the training gap, the Federal Buildings Personnel Training Act will save taxpayer dollars on operations and maintenance costs.

The Federal Government currently consumes about 2 percent of the Nation's total energy, or about $17.5 billion in annual energy costs. The potential for cost savings here is huge. In fact, a recent study by the International Facility Management Association showed that for every dollar spent on facility management training, organizations reported receiving an average of $3.95 in return. If we are to be responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars, in addition to investing in energy- efficient buildings, we must invest in the people maintaining those buildings so we can recoup the largest energy and cost savings possible.

This legislation will help ensure that our Federal buildings are run in a way that maximizes their performance, assuring that they retain value throughout their lifecycles and that the taxpayer investments in these properties are both protected and leveraged to reap the cost savings involved with efficient operations and management.

I want to personally thank the Republican cosponsor, my colleagues, Representative Pete Sessions and Representative Judy Biggert, for their support throughout this process. Representative Biggert and I cochair the High-Performance Buildings Caucus and we have continually advocated for the Federal Government to lead by example in high-performance building practices.

I also want to give special thanks to Chairman Oberstar--for his long and distinguished leadership on this issue--and to Ranking Member Mica for their support to bring this bill to the floor.

Madam Speaker, I would like to insert into the Record a support letter from over 50 of the country's leading building professionals, manufacturers, and small businesses. They are pleased to support this legislation and are poised to provide the necessary training to achieve both public and private sector goals.

High-Performance Building

Congressional Caucus Coalition,

December 1, 2010.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi,

House of Representatives,

Washington, DC.

Minority Leader John Boehner,

House of Representatives,

Washington, DC.

Re: Federal Buildings Personnel Training Act of 2010

Dear Speaker Pelosi and Minority Leader Boehner: As the

leading organizations involved in the design, construction,

operation and maintenance of buildings, we applaud Congress's

continued efforts to improve our nation's buildings. We are

particularly pleased to support H.R. 5112/S. 3250, ``Federal

Buildings Personnel Training Act of 2010.'' In the final days

of the 111th Congress, we encourage passage of this important

legislation--it has already passed the Senate by voice vote.

As you know, Congress and the President have established

stringent goals for Federal agencies to achieve reductions in

energy and water use and greenhouse gas emissions. Agencies

also have additional needs related to other high-performance

building attributes, including safety and security. Achieving

these goals requires personnel engaged in the design,

construction, operation and maintenance of federal buildings

to have the appropriate skills and training. This bill will

provide federal agencies with these necessary tools with no

significant impact on the deficit.

Federal agencies have long been looked to as an example of

what can be done within the built environment. As the

Nation's largest holder of real estate, the Federal

Government has the opportunity and resources to influence the

development and implementation of building design,

construction, operations and maintenance tools, technologies

and practices. Federal buildings should serve as public

showcases and leading examples of energy efficiency and

indoor environmental quality (IEQ) through their design,

construction, equipment, and operations and maintenance.

As both public and private sector buildings become

increasingly complex to meet our nation's energy and

environmental goals, personnel with the necessary

competencies will be critical to achieving these goals. The

undersigned organizations representing the breadth of the

building community including building professionals,

manufacturers, and small businesses, are pleased to support

this legislation and are poised to provide the necessary

training to achieve both public and private sector goals.

We look forward to continued work with you in realizing the

full potential of high-performance buildings.

Sincerely,

National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS); American

Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning

Engineers (ASHRAE); International Facility Management

Association (IFMA); National Electrical Manufacturers

Association (NEMA); U.S. Green Building Council

(USGBC); International Association of Plumbing and

Mechanical Officials (IAPMO); Federation of American

Scientists (FAS); National Fire Protection Association

(NFPA); International Code Council (ICC);

Polyisocyanurate Insulation Manufacturers Association

(PIMA); American Institute of Architects (AIA); Spray

Polyurethane Foam Alliance (SPFA); United Association--

Union of Plumbers, Fitters, Welders and HVAC Service

Techs; Green Mechanical Council; The Stella Group,

Ltd.; Association for Facilities Engineering (AFE);

Mechanical Contractors Association of America (MCAA);

National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE);

BuildingInsight, LLC; American Council of Engineering

Companies (ACEC); Green Building Initiative (GBI);

Ecobuild America/AEC Science & Technology, LLC;

American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA); Air-

conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute

(AHRI); National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC);

Center for Environmental Innovation in Roofing (CEIR);

The Radiant Panel Association; Carbon Monoxide Safety

Association (COSA); Educational Standards Corporation

Institute (ESCO Institute); HVAC Excellence; Air

Conditioning and Refrigeration Association (AC&R);

Federal Performance Contracting Coalition; Sustainable

Buildings Industry Council (SBIC); National Insulation

Association (NIA); InfoComm International; Building

Intelligence Group; Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning

Contractors National Association, Inc. (SMACNA);

Architecture 2030; LonMark International; Environmental

and Energy Study Institute (EESI); American Society of

Civil Engineers (ASCE); BASF; EIFS Industry Members

Association (EIMA); Plumbing-Heating-Cooling

Contractors--National Association (PHCC); Johnson

Controls; APPA: Leadership in Educational Facilities;

International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD);

The Vinyl Institute; Illuminating Engineering Society

(IES); DuPont; Brick Industry Association; Association

of Energy Engineers (AEE); Siemens.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the chairwoman of the Federal Buildings Subcommittee of Transportation, Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton.

I yield 1 additional minute to the gentlewoman.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, attached is a amended support letter for S. 3250 which passed the House on Wednesday, December 1, 2010. A previous copy was submitted for the Record.

High-Performance Building Congressional Caucus Coalition,

December 3, 2010.

Re Federal Buildings Personnel Training Act of 2010.

Russ Carnahan,

Washington, DC.

Judy Biggert,

Washington, DC.

Thomas Carper,

Washington, DC.

Susan Collins,

Washington, DC.

Dear Representatives Carnahan and Biggert and Senators

Carper and Collins: As the leading organizations involved in

the design, construction, operation and maintenance of

buildings, we applaud your continued efforts to improve our

Nation's buildings. Thank you for your leadership and vision

in the development and passage of H.R. 5112 and S. 3250,

``Federal Buildings Personnel Training Act of 2010.''

As you know, Congress and the President have established

stringent goals for Federal agencies to achieve reductions in

energy and water use and greenhouse gas emissions. Agencies

also have additional needs related to other high-performance

building attributes, including safety and security. Achieving

these goals requires personnel engaged in the design,

construction, operation and maintenance of federal buildings

to have the appropriate skills and training.

Federal agencies have long been looked to as an example of

what can be done within the built environment. As the

Nation's largest holder of real estate, the Federal

government has the opportunity and resources to influence the

development and implementation of building design,

construction, operations and maintenance tools, technologies

and practices. Federal buildings should serve as public

showcases and leading examples of energy efficiency and

indoor environmental quality (IEQ) through their design,

construction, equipment, and operations and maintenance.

As both public and private sector buildings become

increasingly complex to meet our Nation's energy and

environmental goals, personnel with the necessary

competencies will be critical to achieving these goals. The

undersigned organizations, thank you for your leadership on

this legislation and are poised to provide the necessary

training to achieve both public and private sector goals.

We look forward to continued work with you in realizing the

full potential of high-performance buildings.

Sincerely,

National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS); American

Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning

Engineers (ASHRAE); International Facility Management

Association (IFMA); National Electrical Manufacturers

Association (NEMA); U.S. Green Building Council

(USGBC); International Association of Plumbing and

Mechanical Officials (IAPMO); Federation of American

Scientists (FAS); National Fire Protection Association

(NFPA); International Code Council (ICC);

Polyisocyanurate Insulation Manufacturers Association

(PIMA); American Institute of Architects (AIA); Spray

Polyurethane Foam Alliance (SPFA); United Association--

Union of Plumbers, Fitters, Welders and HVAC Service

Techs; Green Mechanical Council; The Stella Group,

Ltd.; Association for Facilities Engineering (AFE);

Mechanical Contractors Association of America (MCAA);

National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE);

Buildinglnsight, LLC; American Council of Engineering

Companies (ACEC); Green Building Initiative (GBI);

Ecobuild America/AEC Science & Technology, LLC;

American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA); Air-

conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute

(AHRI); National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC);

Center for Environmental Innovation in Roofing (CEIR);

The Radiant Panel Association; Carbon Monoxide Safety

Association (COSA); Educational Standards Corporation

Institute (ESCO Institute); HVAC Excellence; Air

Conditioning and Refrigeration Association (AC&R);

Federal Performance Contracting Coalition; Sustainable

Buildings Industry Council (SBIC); National Insulation

Association (NIA); InfoComm International; Building

Intelligence Group; Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning

Contractors--National Association, Inc. (SMACNA);

Architecture 2030; LonMark International; Environmental

and Energy Study Institute (EESI); American Society of

Civil Engineers (ASCE); BASF; EIFS Industry Members

Association (EIMA); Plumbing-Heating-Cooling

Contractors--National Association (PHCC); Johnson

Controls; APPA: Leadership in Educational Facilities;

International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD);

The Vinyl Institute; Iluminating Engineering Society

(IES); DuPont; Brick Industry Association; Association

of Energy Engineers (AEE); Siemens; Bentley Systems;

International Association of Heat & Frost Insulators

and Allied Workers; Delphi; Ingersoll Rand; Natural

Resource Defense Council (NRDC).

I thank the gentleman for yielding, but I need to thank him for much more, for not only sponsoring this bill, but for shepherding this bill. It was not always smooth sailing, but it was mostly smooth sailing because its underlying purpose is so clear and necessary. I appreciate that it has been a bipartisan bill both here and in the Senate. I certainly appreciate its bipartisan sponsorship by Representative Biggert and you, Mr. Carnahan. I know that this bill will be gratifying to Mr. Oberstar, who has presided over much of the building of the Federal inventory during his extraordinary service here in the House.

May I thank my good friend, the ranking member, Mr. Diaz-Balart, with whom I've worked so closely and so well since I became chair, for his work not only on this bill but on the many bills and the many hearings we have held together.

Madam Speaker, what we have to consider is that the Federal building inventory amounts to $43 billion of investment of the taxpayers of the United States over many decades. It is clearly irreplaceable. Some of it is familiar to us all--the buildings here in Washington, such as the Justice Department, or your own office building when you go home to invite in your constituents and to do your constituent service, the courthouses where you are. But there has been little investment in this inventory, even inventory close to home.

We had a hearing in our subcommittee that showed scores of violations in the buildings of the Capitol complex, which I am pleased to say are now being quickly remedied, but some of them would have endangered the lives of the millions of people who visit the Capitol every year, not to mention the many thousands who live here. So this is a particularly gratifying piece of legislation.

Every year, our committee approves hundreds of millions of dollars in projects of construction and repair and modernization, nothing, however, like what we have done recently. Because of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, Congress took the opportunity to invest in the updating of

more than $5 billion in GSA inventory which had been untouched and was a growing backlog. And we didn't simply invest in it by saying fix the roofs. We said save the taxpayers money by upgrading to state-of-the- art energy systems so that we save the taxpayers more money than we are investing today and we begin to catch up on the backlog of many decades of disinvestment in our own priceless inventory.

So we are upgrading these federally owned facilities with more energy-efficient and sustainable building components for the first time in memory. This investment will be important; but if we allow these buildings to deteriorate as so much of our inventory has, we will pour the investment right down the drain. That means that you now will have contractors, subcontractors, yes, and many employees who are being asked to maintain inventory that has entirely new components of the kind they have never had to operate and maintain before, because these are energy-efficient, new state-of-the-art materials.

In order to maintain this extraordinary investment, this once-in-a- lifetime investment for the Congress, we will want a workforce that is trained and operating to keep this inventory at peak performance so that we don't see it deteriorate before our eyes as we have seen so much of the Federal inventory.

We now know that design and construction costs, for example, represent only about 5 or 10 percent of the costs of a facility.

But operations and maintenance represents 60 to 85 percent of the costs of a facility over its lifetime. Look what we're doing here today. We've saved the taxpayer money by investing in energy efficiency. Now we're going to save money for all of us, and especially the taxpayers, by investing in what it will take, curriculum and training, to keep these buildings at peak performance and thereby maximize our investment.

I thank the gentleman for his hard work and for yielding.

I thank the gentleman for yielding the time.

Madam Speaker, I would like to begin by thanking my colleagues, Senator Tom Carper and Susan Collins, and especially the cochair of the Congressional High-Performance Building Caucus, Representative Russ Carnahan, and also Representative Pete Sessions for all of their hard work in bringing this bipartisan legislation before us today.

The Federal Buildings Personnel Training Act of 2010 will save taxpayers dollars, it's been mentioned many times, by putting Federal buildings on the cutting edge of energy efficiency and will help build expertise among America's workforce needed for tomorrow's green jobs.

As my colleagues are aware, the Federal Government is the Nation's largest property manager, with more than 500,000 buildings and structures worldwide. So this bill presents an opportunity to lead by example and to demonstrate the immense savings and efficiency that can be achieved by making smart investments in human energy through the Federal workforce.

This bill will help ensure that Federal buildings are operating at peak efficiency. It will equip Federal employees who maintain our buildings with the resources they need to utilize green building technologies, implement industry best practices, and cut energy costs for the public.

Madam Speaker, thanks to America's scientists and engineers, we are making rapid strides in sustainable building technologies and designs. But the full rewards of this work, both to the environment and to taxpayers, cannot be realized unless our building managers have the training to utilize them.

The Federal Buildings Personnel Training Act of 2010 will require the General Services Administration to identify core competencies necessary for Federal personnel to utilize high-performance building practices and technologies. The GSA will then work with private industry and institutions of higher learning to create comprehensive continuing education courses to ensure that the Federal employees know how to employ green technologies. This training will ensure that the Federal Government can meet its energy reduction goals and get a proper return on taxpayers' investment.

Madam Speaker, American taxpayers are demanding a renewed focus on eliminating wasteful government spending, and this bipartisan bill presents an opportunity to do just that while conserving our domestic energy supply.

The Federal Buildings Personnel Training Act will put us on the forefront of building technology and transform our Nation's building stock for years to come. Just as importantly, it makes an investment in the training of our workforce that will help American workers compete for the green jobs of tomorrow.

Again, I would like to thank the gentleman from Missouri, my colleague and cochair of the High-Performance Building Caucus, for his hard work in bringing forward this bill. And I'd like to thank Chairman Norton for her support and Ranking Member Mica and particularly Chairman Oberstar. He will certainly be missed here on this House floor, and I know that we all wish him well.

I would urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of S. 3250, a bill to promote professionalism and competency among the ranks of individuals, both Federal employee and contractor, who operate and maintain building systems in Federal buildings. For a number of building operation functions and disciplines, the bill requires the Administrator of General Services, in consultation with other Federal agencies and building industry representatives, to identify core competencies and appropriate training and certifications, which will enable personnel working in these fields to demonstrate acquisition and mastery of the skills and knowledge that will help ensure that Federal buildings perform and are maintained in accordance with industry best practices.

This Committee has been instrumental, through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, in providing the General Services Administration with $4.5 billion to upgrade Federally owned facilities with more energy efficient and sustainable building components and systems. S. 3250 is an effort to safeguard this investment, as well as other Federal investment in energy-efficient building infrastructure, to ensure that this infrastructure is well maintained and operating at peak performance.

Findings by the Government Accountability Office and the National Research Council indicate that, over a building's full life cycle, operations and maintenance expenses account for 60 to 85 percent of the total cost of a facility, compared to 10 percent for initial design and construction. These findings underscore the importance of optimizing the performance and care of building equipment and components which play a vital role in the energy efficiency of facilities. By establishing core competencies for building operations personnel, S. 3250 enhances the likelihood that this optimization occurs. The bill has the support of the High-Performance Building Congressional Caucus Coalition, and over 40 building industry associations and professional societies. Moreover, this legislation helps support energy efficiency goals established for Federal buildings in the Energy Policy Act of 2005 and the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007.

On July 29, 2010, the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure met in open session to consider the House version of this bill, H.R. 5112, and ordered the bill reported favorably to the House by voice vote.

I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting S. 3250.