<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN">
<html>
<head>
<meta content="text/html;charset=ISO-8859-1" http-equiv="Content-Type">
<title></title>
</head>
<body bgcolor="#ffffff" text="#000000">
Our modeling group discussed this on Friday. We agree that many of the
most experienced modelers are not registered professionals. Most
projects, via building codes, require the oversight of a registered
professional any way. We don't think defaulting to a registered
professional will give assurance that the model is a reasonable
representation of a project, unless that person actually created the
model. There are simply too many details in a typical energy model
that may be overlooked if the registered individual did not create it.
So, if a certification process is going to be required, it should be at
the individual level. If DOE doesn't create a process to certify
modelers, such as a training workshop plus exam plus standard
practices, then perhaps a professional organization would take the
lead. ASHRAE, IBPSA, AIA, or AEE might be candidates.<br>
<br>
Regards,<br>
Vern Smith<br>
<br>
Misuriello, Harry wrote:<br>
<blockquote
cite="midMDAEMON-F200510271904.AA0441875pd80001087649@gard.com"
type="cite">
<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; ">
<meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11 (filtered)">
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:Wingdings;
panose-1:5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";}
a:link, span.MsoHyperlink
{color:blue;
text-decoration:underline;}
a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed
{color:purple;
text-decoration:underline;}
p.MsoAutoSig, li.MsoAutoSig, div.MsoAutoSig
{margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";}
span.EmailStyle17
{font-family:Arial;
color:windowtext;}
@page Section1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;}
div.Section1
{page:Section1;}
/* List Definitions */
ol
{margin-bottom:0in;}
ul
{margin-bottom:0in;}
-->
</style>
<div class="Section1">
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="Arial" size="2"><span
style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">Dear</span></font><font
face="Arial" size="2"><span
style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;"> Building</span></font><font
face="Arial" size="2"><span
style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;"> Energy
Analysis Colleagues:</span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="Arial" size="2"><span
style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;"> </span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="Arial" size="2"><span
style="font-size: 10pt; 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 face="Arial" size="2"><span
style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;"> </span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="Arial" size="2"><span
style="font-size: 10pt; 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 face="Arial" size="2"><span
style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;"> </span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="Arial" size="2"><span
style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">An excerpt from EPAct
2005 addressing this certification is
shown below.</span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="Arial" size="2"><span
style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;"> </span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><font
face="Times New Roman" size="3"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">`(6)
CERTIFICATION-</span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1in;"><font
face="Times New Roman" size="3"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">`(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: 1in;"><font
face="Times New Roman" size="3"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">`(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: 1in;"><font
face="Times New Roman" size="3"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">`(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 face="Arial" size="2"><span
style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;"> </span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="Arial" size="2"><span
style="font-size: 10pt; 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 face="Arial" size="2"><span
style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;"> </span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="Arial" size="2"><span
style="font-size: 10pt; 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 face="Arial" size="2"><span
style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;"> </span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="Arial" size="2"><span
style="font-size: 10pt; 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 face="Arial" size="2"><span
style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;"> </span></font></p>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal"><font face="Arial" size="2"><span
style="font-size: 10pt; 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 face="Arial" size="2"><span
style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">Is there any existing
organization that could be designated for certifying energy modelers?</span></font></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><font face="Arial" size="2"><span
style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">Are there any training
courses in modeling and energy analysis that should be required?</span></font></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><font face="Arial" size="2"><span
style="font-size: 10pt; 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 face="Arial" size="2"><span
style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">How should this
experience be documented? Are satisfactory client references for
modeling projects acceptable?</span></font></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><font face="Arial" size="2"><span
style="font-size: 10pt; 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 face="Arial" size="2"><span
style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">Licensed design
professional (i.e. PE, AIA)?</span></font></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><font face="Arial" size="2"><span
style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">Certified Energy Manager
(CEM) from the AEE?</span></font></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><font face="Arial" size="2"><span
style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">LEED-AP certification
from the USGBC</span></font></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><font face="Arial" size="2"><span
style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">Other?</span></font></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><font face="Arial" size="2"><span
style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">No existing designation
works for this purpose?</span></font></li>
</ul>
<li class="MsoNormal"><font face="Arial" size="2"><span
style="font-size: 10pt; 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 face="Arial" size="2"><span
style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;"> </span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="Arial" size="2"><span
style="font-size: 10pt; 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 face="Arial" size="2"><span
style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;"> </span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="Arial" size="2"><span
style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">Thank you for your
consideration of these questions.</span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="Arial" size="2"><span
style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;"> </span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="Arial" size="2"><span
style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">Harry</span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="Arial" size="2"><span
style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;"> </span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="Arial" size="2"><span
style="font-size: 10pt; 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 face="Arial" size="2"><span
style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;"> </span></font></p>
<p class="MsoAutoSig"><font face="Arial" size="2"><span
style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">-----------------------</span></font></p>
<p class="MsoAutoSig"><font face="Arial" size="2"><span
style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">Harry Misuriello</span></font></p>
<p class="MsoAutoSig"><font face="Arial" size="2"><span
style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">Director of Buildings and
Utility Programs</span></font></p>
<p class="MsoAutoSig"><font face="Arial" size="2"><span
style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">Alliance</span></font><font
face="Arial" size="2"><span
style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;"> to Save Energy</span></font></p>
<p class="MsoAutoSig"><font face="Arial" size="2"><span
style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">1200 18th Street, NW,
Suite 900</span></font></p>
<p class="MsoAutoSig"><font face="Arial" size="2"><span
style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">Washington</span></font><font
face="Arial" size="2"><span
style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">, DC 20036</span></font></p>
<p class="MsoAutoSig"><font face="Arial" size="2"><span
style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">Tel: 202 530 2214</span></font></p>
<p class="MsoAutoSig"><font face="Arial" size="2"><span
style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">Fax: 202 331 9588</span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"><span
style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></font></p>
</div>
<pre>
======================================================
You received this e-mail because you are subscribed
to the <a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:BLDG-SIM@GARD.COM">BLDG-SIM@GARD.COM</a> mailing list. To unsubscribe
from this mailing list send a blank message to
<a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:BLDG-SIM-UNSUBSCRIBE@GARD.COM">BLDG-SIM-UNSUBSCRIBE@GARD.COM</a>
</pre>
</blockquote>
<br>
<pre class="moz-signature" cols="72">--
Vernon A. Smith, P.E.
Architectural Energy Corporation
2540 Frontier Ave., Suite 201, Boulder, CO 80301-2400 USA
Direct: 303-459-7424
Main: 303-444-4149 x424
<a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:vsmith@archenergy.com">vsmith@archenergy.com</a>
<a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://www.archenergy.com">http://www.archenergy.com</a></pre>
<PRE>
======================================================
You received this e-mail because you are subscribed
to the BLDG-SIM@GARD.COM mailing list. To unsubscribe
from this mailing list send a blank message to
BLDG-SIM-UNSUBSCRIBE@GARD.COM
</PRE></body>
</html>