The Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning
Contractors’ National Association recently announced its support of President
Obama’s Better Buildings Initiative. The initiative is part of the president’s
2012 budget, and would provide tax incentives and “cash upfront” to those in
the private sector looking to make energy saving improvements in their
buildings.
There are five key areas part of the Better
Buildings Initiative. First, there will be more tax deductions for commercial
buildings that invest in energy retrofits. Next, the government will provide
financing to companies interested in energy upgrades. The Department of Energy
would provide loans for energy improvements at hospitals, schools and
commercial buildings.
The president’s plan also includes
something called “Race to Green.” This program would provide grants to states
and municipalities that adopt green standards. A similar program will be
available to universities and businesses. The government will provide a series
of benefits for those institutions that take a leadership role in making their
buildings more efficient.
Finally, the Better Buildings
Initiative includes workforce training in areas such as energy auditing and
operations to help reduce energy consumption in
buildings.
According to SMACNA and the Obama administration,
these initiatives would save the United States over $40 billion in utility
costs over the next ten years. The goal is to make the country’s buildings more
energy efficient while also providing an economic boon to HVAC manufacturers
and contractors. So what do you think? President Obama gets a lot of criticism
from fiscal conservatives for spending too much money. Is this a good use of
resources? Let us know what you think.
