Rosslyn, VA, November 2, 2005 -- NEMA president Evan Gaddis told members of the Commercial Building Tax Deduction coalition yesterday that the provision in the Energy Policy Act of 2005 mandating tax incentives for achieving national energy-efficient goals "is a win for everyone, the government, industry, and the public. We're going to do our level best to promote this program, encourage builders, architects, manufacturers, and others to take advantage of it, and work with government toward speedy, effective implementation of the law."

Representatives of nearly 40 organizations attended the second meeting of the coalition, which was convened by NEMA in October. Members include standards organizations, manufacturers, building and trade associations, government officials, energy efficiency groups, and others.

At a press briefing, Gaddis emphasized the strengthening partnership between the Dept of Energy (DOE), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and members of the business community determined to encourage the use of energy-efficient equipment and systems.

Harry Misuriello, director of buildings and utility programs at the Alliance to Save Energy, said the full implementation of the tax incentives in the Energy Policy Act of 2005 would save the nation two quads of energy, with attendant environmental benefits and reduction of pollution. The U.S. consumes about 100 quads of energy per year. Misuriello added that more would be saved if the tax provisions were extended beyond the two years currently called for in the law. That sentiment was echoed by many in the coalition.

Ed Wisniewski, deputy director of the Consortium for Energy Efficiency (CEE), whose utility members serve roughly 50% of the nation's consumers, said that the formation of such a diverse coalition is "a golden opportunity" to work together to contribute to wise energy stewardship.

Coalition members outlined a plan to submit recommendations on implementation to the Dept of Energy prior to DOE's guidance to the U.S. Treasury, which must, in turn, release tax guidelines for the legislation by the end of the year.