ASHRAE Insights

WASHINGTON, D.C.—As members of Congress discuss critical issues such as energy, education, the environment, and government spending, the scientific and engineering community have expertise to contribute. ASHRAE members participated in two events designed to provide their expertise.

ASHRAE Board of Directors member William Bahnfleth, Fellow ASHRAE, participated with ASHRAE staff in the Science, Engineering and Technology (SET) Work Group Congressional Visits Days (CVD) on May 1 and 2. Following a briefing on the federal budget for science and engineering by representatives from  the U.S. House of Representatives, the U.S. Senate, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) and the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), participants learned how best to communicate with their members of Congress.

Before meeting with members of Congress, 200 CVD participants from various scientific and engineering disciplines attended a breakfast organized by ASHRAE. Congressman Mike Honda, D.-Calif., provided insight into the Congressional process and tips on communicating with Congress.

Bahnfleth met for nearly an hour with his representative, John Peterson, R.-Pa., and discussed issues affecting his district including energy costs (and the potential role of energy efficiency); indoor air quality; and science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education.

ASHRAE staff also met with Representative Brian Baird, D.-Wash., chairman of the Research and Science Education Subcommittee of the House Committee on Science and Technology. Baird discussed STEM education and federal support for research and development.

On May 8, Presidential Member Richard Hayter and Bill Hutzel, Member ASHRAE, participated in the Engineering Research and Development Symposium. More than 20 engineering societies discussed federal funding for research and development activities of interest to the engineering community.

To learn more about these activities or to participate in similar programs, visit the ASHRAE Government Affairs Web page, www.ashrae.org/governmentaffairs, or contact the Washington office at (202) 833-1830, or rcolker@ashrae.org.