Government Affairs
We have a new name! After deliberation, ASHRAE Society decided to change the name of the committee (formerly Grassroots Government Activities) to Government Affairs. The reason behind this change is that the term ‘grassroots’ is not a term used internationally to describe the foundation or source of a new effort. With ASHRAE being an international society, the name was changed to provide more clarity to the membership at large. Government Affairs is a more concise title for the committee and is a heck of a lot easier to remember than Grassroots Government Affairs Committee!
Chapter-level Involvement
To learn more, join the GAC Committee, or for any other inquiries, contact the GAC Chair, Marina Shatalova at [email protected].
California Water and Energy Savings Act
Building Performance Standards (BPS) are outcome-based policies and laws aimed at reducing the carbon impact of the built environment by requiring existing buildings to meet energy and/or greenhouse gas emissions-based performance targets. Energy codes such as ASHRAE 90.1 and IECC regulate the new construction and major renovations, while BPS are policy tools which outline energy reduction goals and retrofits for existing buildings.
California’s Senate Bill 48, formerly known as Building Performance Standards, now as Water and Energy Savings Act passed in 2023 is the states answer to the need for energy reductions on existing buildings. This dictates a benchmarking procedure for commercial buildings and residential dwellings with more than 16 units prior to 2026 to monitor their electricity, water and natural gas usage. By July 1 2026, set of building performance standards with outlined energy reduction goals will be published based on the benchmarking dataset. Latest ASHRAE Standard 100-2024 -- Energy and Emissions Building Performance Standard for Existing Buildings (ANSI/IES Approved) outlines simple procedures for meeting the performance set goals.
This senate bill will produce a lot of opportunities for updates for the existing built environment in California, and using the ASHRAE standard will make it easier for both the facility owners and consulting engineers.
Society-level resources
Member Resources: Advocacy Toolkit
ASHRAE’s Government Affairs staff has developed numerous resources to assist individual members and chapters to participate in both federal and state government outreach efforts. It is recommended that members and chapter leadership familiarize themselves with the legislative and regulatory process and the current issues ASHRAE is tracking. Click HERE for all the resources available to you.
Policy Positions and Issues
Go HERE to find ASHRAE's official written materials, including Position Statements, Position Documents, and Position Briefs—approved by the Society’s Board of Directors—on key industry topics. These board-sanctioned documents, developed by technical experts, can be used by local chapters without additional approval. You can also access the latest letters and testimony prepared by ASHRAE Government Affairs staff in response to legislative and regulatory activities. Additionally, Public Policy Issue Briefs are available to help communicate ASHRAE’s positions to government officials and other stakeholders with limited technical expertise.
ASHRAE Government Affairs Update (GAU)
The Government Affairs Update (GAU) is a resource for ASHRAE members, as well as those interested in the built environment, to stay informed about actions across all levels of government concerning the HVAC&R community, the engineering profession, and sustainable and resilient development. It is bi-weekly e-newsletter and the best way to keep up with news and notes on recent government activities in Washington, D.C. of interest to ASHRAE members and others. Click HERE to keep connected to federal and state activities.
