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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Dear</span></font><font size=2 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'> Building</span></font><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'> Energy
Analysis Colleagues:</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>I am writing to you on behalf of the commercial subcommittee
of the Tax Incentives Assistance Project (TIAP.) TIAP is a coalition of
public, private and NGO parties with a strong interest in effective implementation
of the energy efficiency tax incentives included in the Energy Policy Act of
2005 (EPAct 2005, also known as the “energy bill”.)</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>The commercial tax incentives require the use of “certified”
computer software that is run by “qualified individuals.” The
Department of Energy is in the process of making recommendations to the
Treasury Department on how these individuals should be certified. A good
fact sheet on the commercial building tax incentives can be found at <a
href="http://www.nema.org/">www.nema.org</a>.</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>An excerpt from EPAct 2005 addressing this certification is
shown below.</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'>`(6) CERTIFICATION-</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:1.0in'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'>`(A) IN GENERAL- The Secretary shall prescribe the
manner and method for the making of certifications under this section.</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:1.0in'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'>`(B) PROCEDURES- The Secretary shall include as part
of the certification process procedures for inspection and testing by qualified
individuals described in subparagraph (C) to ensure compliance of buildings
with energy-savings plans and targets. Such procedures shall be comparable,
given the difference between commercial and residential buildings, to the
requirements in the Mortgage Industry National Accreditation Procedures for
Home Energy Rating Systems.</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:1.0in'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'>`(C) QUALIFIED INDIVIDUALS- Individuals qualified to
determine compliance shall be only those individuals who are recognized by an
organization certified by the Secretary for such purposes.</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>In recent discussions we found that DOE views this as an
issue and is looking for some creative ideas on certification of energy
analysts for the purposes of tax incentive rule compliance. The default
outcome may be to require a licensed design professional (i.e. PE, AIA) as a
qualified individual; however, many of the best modelers and analysts may not be
registered engineers or architects. Also, unlike the residential sector,
there is no commercial equivalent to RESNET. As far as we know there is
no certifying body for commercial building energy analysts or modelers.</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>TIAP is most interested in maximizing participation in the
commercial tax incentives program in order to achieve significant energy
savings. We would like to see a certification approach that allows the
greatest number of qualified energy modelers and energy analysts to carry out
this work. We are looking for workable solutions to certification that do
not exclude qualified modelers from this market.</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>So, what advice can the community of modelers and energy
analysts provide on this topic? TIAP and the Alliance to Save Energy are
looking for input on the following questions:</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'> </span></font></p>
<ul style='margin-top:0in' type=disc>
<li class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Are there any existing energy analysis certification programs
that can be used as a model?</span></font></li>
<li class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Is there any existing organization that could be designated
for certifying energy modelers?</span></font></li>
<li class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Are there any training courses in modeling and energy
analysis that should be required?</span></font></li>
<li class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>What level of experience should be required for an
individual to be deemed capable for this work?</span></font></li>
<li class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>How should this experience be documented? Are satisfactory
client references for modeling projects acceptable?</span></font></li>
<li class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Which of the following designations indicate that an
individual is qualified for energy modeling:</span></font></li>
<ul style='margin-top:0in' type=circle>
<li class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Licensed design professional (i.e. PE, AIA)?</span></font></li>
<li class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Certified Energy Manager (CEM) from the AEE?</span></font></li>
<li class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>LEED-AP certification from the USGBC</span></font></li>
<li class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Other?</span></font></li>
<li class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>No existing designation works for this purpose?</span></font></li>
</ul>
<li class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Is it practical to require no certification for energy
analysts and just have the licensed building designer sign off on the
analysis results?</span></font></li>
</ul>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>TIAP would greatly appreciate your ideas and opinions as
soon as possible, but it would be great to have them by Monday. Please
post replies to the list. There are some meetings in Washington DC next week where this issue will be discussed.</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Thank you for your consideration of these questions.</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Harry</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Ps---I apologize for any redundant cross postings. I’m
sending this out to all three of the energy modeling email lists.</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoAutoSig><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>-----------------------</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoAutoSig><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Harry Misuriello</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoAutoSig><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Director of Buildings and Utility Programs</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoAutoSig><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Alliance</span></font><font size=2 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'> to Save Energy</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoAutoSig><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>1200 18th Street, NW, Suite 900</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoAutoSig><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Washington</span></font><font size=2 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>, DC 20036</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoAutoSig><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Tel: 202 530 2214</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoAutoSig><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Fax: 202 331 9588</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'> </span></font></p>
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