As Natural Gas Prices Soar, ACEEE, MEEA and NAIMA Call for Upgraded Energy Codes in Michigan; Experts Warn That Two-Thirds of America's Homes and Buildings Are Under Insulated.Energy Editors/Business Editors CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 7, 2004 The American Council American Council may refer to: In linguistics:
MEEA Middle East Economic Association MEEA Mid-peninsula Environmental Educators Alliance ) and the North American North American named after North America. North American blastomycosis see North American blastomycosis. North American cattle tick see boophilusannulatus. Insulation Manufacturers Association (NAIMA NAIMA North American Insulation Manufacturers Association ) warn consumers in the Midwest that buildings and homes throughout the region are sorely under insulated. With the winter season bearing down on consumers, these organizations are encouraging homeowners to winter-proof their homes, while calling for improved energy codes across the Midwest. Recent Harvard University Harvard University, mainly at Cambridge, Mass., including Harvard College, the oldest American college. Harvard College Harvard College, originally for men, was founded in 1636 with a grant from the General Court of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. studies estimate that 63% of America's homes (more than 46 million in all) are under insulated by today's standards. The researchers recommend increased energy codes as one mechanism to ensure proper levels of insulation in new construction. ACEEE, MEEA and NAIMA support the adoption of the International Code Council's (ICC ICC See: International Chamber of Commerce ) 2000 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC IECC International Energy Conservation Code IECC Intercultural E-Mail Classroom Connections IECC Informix Enterprise Command Center IECC Integrated Electronic Control Centre (UK Railways Signaling Control) ) - an effective and commonly employed standard for residential construction - across the Midwest and specifically in Michigan where the state's current code is under review. Modern energy codes, such as the 2000 IECC, require new homes and buildings to have nearly twice as much insulation in attics and walls than they did in 1980. Energy efficiency advocates and the US Department of Energy call for more insulation in new and existing homes to improve public health, decrease air pollution emissions from energy production and save energy overall. "Improving state energy efficiency codes and code enforcement Code Enforcement is the act of enforcing a set of s, principles, or laws (especially written ones) and insuring observance of a system of norms or customs. An authority usually enforces a civil code, a set of rules, or a body of laws and compel those subject to their authority to are important steps states can take to protect consumers from increasing natural gas prices over the long-term," said Ken Mentzer, President of NAIMA. "Adding more insulation to attics, basement walls, and floors over unheated spaces are ways consumers can reduce their natural gas and energy costs right away." "Consumers in the Midwest suffered from record high natural gas prices last winter, and although this year has been more temperate (so far) prices continue to rise even higher impairing the ability of many home owners to pay their winter heating bills," said Alecia Ward, Executive Director of MEEA. "Insulation provides a quick energy savings and is an improvement consumers can easily do themselves, along with caulking caulk·ing n. A usually impermeable substance used for caulking. Also called caulking compound. Noun 1. caulking - a waterproof filler and sealant that is used in building and repair to make watertight caulk , weather-stripping and shrink-wrapping windows." Payback for fiberglass and mineral wool mineral wool n. An inorganic fibrous substance that is produced by steam blasting and cooling molten glass or a similar substance and is used as an insulator and a filtering material. Also called rock wool. Noun 1. insulation is typically one to five years, and many utilities and states offer rebates and incentives to encourage businesses and consumers to insulate. Visit www.SimplyInsulate.com to find out how to check your insulation and learn more about rebates and incentives in your area. Increased Codes in Michigan Michigan's citizens, businesses, government and other customers spend $20 billion per year on energy. Michigan imports 100% of the coal and uranium, 96% of the oil, and 75% of natural gas, which totals roughly $12 billion per year. The dramatic natural gas price increases of the last two years means nearly $2 billion MORE will leave the state economy having a huge impact on households and causing significant damage to energy intensive industries. The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Growth is currently considering proposed updates to the Michigan Uniform Energy Code (MUEC) at a time when both the rising cost of natural gas and the reliability of the electric grid have become important issues. Adoption of the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) 2000 offers significant benefits in terms of energy savings, exceeding the current code by 60% and exceeding proposed changes to the MUEC by 30% without sacrificing cost-effectiveness. ACEEE, MEEA and NAIMA fully support the adoption of the IECC in the state to ensure the residents of Michigan a means of controlling their energy consumption and costs. About ACEEE The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy is a non-profit organization A non-profit organization (abbreviated "NPO", also "non-profit" or "not-for-profit") is a legally constituted organization whose primary objective is to support or to actively engage in activities of public or private interest without any commercial or monetary profit purposes. dedicated to advancing energy efficiency as a means of promoting both economic prosperity and environmental protection. About NAIMA NAIMA is the association for North American manufacturers of fiberglass, rock wool, and slag wool insulation products. Its role is to promote energy efficiency and environmental preservation through the use of fiberglass, rock wool, and slag wool insulation, and to encourage the safe production and use of these materials. About MEEA The Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance is a regional network of organizations collaborating to promote energy efficiency. Our vision is to be a leader in raising and sustaining the level of energy efficiency in the Midwest region by fostering increased market penetration of existing energy-efficient technologies and promoting new technologies, products and best practices, including renewable energy. |
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