President Shapiro Addresses Congressional Audience
Code Council Board President Steve Shapiro responds to audience questions during a Capitol Hill luncheon on the Role of Standards in Our Economy: Energy Efficiency and Safety in Our Buildings. Also shown are ASHRAE President Kent Petersen (left) and Jim Turner, General Counsel for the U.S. House of Representatives Science and Technology Committee.
International Code Council Board President Steve Shapiro spoke to Capitol Hill staff and industry representatives about the relationship between standards and government during a luncheon co-hosted by the International Code Council, the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) and the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).
Congressman Dennis Moore kicked off the event, held at the U.S. House of Representatives Rayburn House Office Building, to address energy efficiency, building safety and the role standards play in the U.S. economy. Jim Turner, General Counsel for the House Science and Technology Committee, served as moderator. In addition to President Shapiro’s remarks, ANSI President and CEO Joe Bhatia addressed U.S. standards development processes, and ASHRAE President Kent Petersen gave an overview how energy efficiency can be achieved through standards.
Consensus-driven standards are essential to both the national economy and global commerce. The U.S. standards system is a demand-driven process in which standards are developed in response to specific needs and concerns expressed by industry, government and consumers. The U.S. system, which varies greatly from most other countries, allows millions of industry experts to provide input into standards development and removes the burden of expense from government. This strong, dynamic partnership between the private sector and government allows the nation to effectively achieve its economic and societal goals.
While at the event, Congressman Moore also spoke about legislation he is introducing called the Community Building Code Administration Grant Act of 2007, which will support state and local building and fire code enforcement.
