42 U.S.C. § 16194: Building standards

Summary

High performance building — a building that brings together and improves key features like energy efficiency, durability, life-cycle performance, and occupant productivity. Within 120 days after August 8, 2005, the Secretary must make an agreement with the National Institute of Building Sciences to do three things: check whether the voluntary, industry-agreed standards and rating systems for high-performance buildings match current technology and relevant Department research; decide if more research is needed; and recommend ways to speed up creating those standards. The Secretary must also set up a grant and technical-assistance program, under section 12(d) of the National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995 (15 U.S.C. 272 note), to support development of those voluntary standards.

Title 42, §16194

The Public Health and Welfare, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)Definition of high performance building

In this section, the term “high performance building” means a building that integrates and optimizes all major high-performance building attributes, including energy efficiency, durability, life-cycle performance, and occupant productivity.

(b)Assessment

Not later than 120 days after August 8, 2005, the Secretary shall enter into an agreement with the National Institute of Building Sciences to—

(1)conduct an assessment (in cooperation with industry, standards development organizations, and other entities, as appropriate) of whether the current voluntary consensus standards and rating systems for high performance buildings are consistent with the current technological state of the art, including relevant results from the research, development and demonstration activities of the Department;

(2)determine if additional research is required, based on the findings of the assessment; and

(3)recommend steps for the Secretary to accelerate the development of voluntary consensus-based standards for high performance buildings that are based on the findings of the assessment.

(c)Grant and technical assistance program

Consistent with subsection (b) and section 12(d) of the National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995 (15 U.S.C. 272 note), the Secretary shall establish a grant and technical assistance program to support the development of voluntary consensus-based standards for high performance buildings.

Editorial Notes

References in Text

section 12(d) of the National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995, referred to in subsec. (c), is section 12(d) of Pub. L. 104–113, which is set out as a note under section 272 of Title 15, Commerce and Trade.

§16194 Building Standards

Summary

Title 42, §16194

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

References in Text

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