Hearing Held in Conjunction with U.S. House High-Performance Building Congressional Caucus Coalition

ASTM International Co-Sponsors Capitol Hill Briefing on Insulation

In March, U.S. President Barack Obama spoke to customers and employees at a Home Depot store in Virginia and said insulation is sexy. "Here's what's sexy about it: saving money," said the president. On March 25, ASTM International co-sponsored a briefing for congressional staff and members of Congress on Capitol Hill entitled "High-Performance Insulation: Increasing Energy Efficiency, Protecting the Environment, Creating Jobs, and Stimulating Our Economy." The briefing highlighted the impact of insulation on reducing energy costs.

Given that it is usually unseen in buildings, insulation is often overlooked and undervalued as a technology. The briefing was planned to help change that perception, and it featured two ASTM members. Charles Cottrell, vice president, technical services, North American Insulation Manufacturers Association, is a member of Committees C16 on Thermal Insulation, E06 on Performance of Buildings and E60 on Sustainability. Richard Duncan, technical director, Spray Polyurethane Foam Alliance, works on Committees C16, E06, D08 on Roofing and Waterproofing, and E21 on Space Simulation and Applications of Space Technology.

The briefing was held in conjunction with the U.S. House High-Performance Building Congressional Caucus Coalition, which is co-chaired by U.S. Representatives Russ Carnahan, D-Mo., and Judy Biggert, R-Ill.

Participants in the Capitol Hill briefing on insulation included (left to right): Charles Cottrell, North American Insulation Manufacturers Association; Anthony Quinn, ASTM International; and Richard Duncan, Spray Polyurethane Foam Alliance.