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Let's think about the over-all process. This model will be used to
certify that a given expenditure by a building owner is eligible for tax
credits which in turn will be used to determine his overall tax
liability. How accurate or precise is this tax
liability? In my experience, it is a huge squishy gray
area determined by how clever or aggressive the person preparing the tax
return is and also how the IRS interprets these efforts. I don't
believe we need to do a research level analysis to determine one
component in a very imprecise process. I think this is more of a
horseshoes and hand grenades situation. Of course, the analysis
needs to include enough detail and enough care to support the intention
of the law enabling the tax credit. So there needs to be a careful
selection of the tools which can be used, and a process which will screen
the analysts to determine a basic competency level and perhaps more
importantly to help assure that they are reputable and not colluding with
the tax payer to cheat the government. Other than that, I suggest
that we try to keep the process simple and economical with simple tools
and a large stable of readily-available analysts.<br><br>
Dave Bryan <br><br>
AmerINDIAN Architecture<br>
Suite 100, 475 Cleveland Avenue North<br>
Saint Paul, Minnesota, 55104 USA<br><br>
651-644-1586 phone<br>
651-644-7172 fax<br><br>
dbryan@amerindian.com<br>
<a href="http://www.amerindian.com" eudora="autourl">
www.amerindian.com<br><br>
<br><br>
<br>
</a>At 11:09 AM 10/31/2005, you wrote:<br>
<blockquote type=cite class=cite cite=""><font size=2 color="#0000FF">
Based on AEC's VisualDOE training experience, I believe a certification
process based on an extensive three to five days training on energy
modeling for EIT, PE etc would make more sense than an exam. Background
knowledge of engineering and architecture, familiar with modeling tools,
and a dedicated quality control process are crucial in getting meaningful
results from energy modeling.<br>
</font> <br>
<font size=2 color="#0000FF">Tianzhen<br>
</font>
<dl>
<dd><font face="Tahoma" size=2>-----Original Message-----<br>
<dd>From:</b> bldg-sim@gard.com
[<a href="mailto:bldg-sim@gard.com" eudora="autourl">
mailto:bldg-sim@gard.com</a>] On Behalf Of </b>Renee J. Azerbegi<br>
<dd>Sent:</b> Monday, October 31, 2005 8:18 AM<br>
<dd>To:</b> bldg-sim@gard.com<br>
<dd>Subject:</b> [bldg-sim] Action Alert! How should "qualified
energy analysts" be certified for the new Federal commercial tax
incentives?<br>
<br>
</font>
<dd><font size=2 color="#000080">My two cents…..<br>
</font><br>
<dd><font size=2 color="#000080"> <br>
</font><br>
<dd><font size=2 color="#000080">It would be easiest to stick with the
typical protocol for the building design industry….. where engineers and
architects need a licensed engineer or architect to stamp the drawings
and specs, so should it be with energy modeling. Who actually does the
design in engineering and architectural firms is often not the licensed
engineer or architect. But that licensed person does do a thorough review
of the drawings and specifications, just as a licensed mechanical,
electrical, or architectural engineer or licensed architect might review
an energy model and report.<br>
</font><br>
<dd><font size=2 color="#000080"> <br>
</font><br>
<dd><font size=2 color="#000080">Other than requiring that, the Certified
Energy Manager exam given by the Association of Energy Engineers is a
good alternative. It is a comprehensive 3 to 6 hour test, I can‘t
remember, on energy efficiencies issues and requires a good understanding
of energy usage in buildings.<br>
</font><br>
<dd><font size=2 color="#000080"> <br>
</font><br>
<dd><font size=2 color="#000080">The LEED test would not be good to
require as it is not comprehensive enough and goes into very little
detail on energy issues.<br>
</font><br>
<dd><font size=2 color="#000080"> <br>
</font><br>
<dd><font size=2 color="#000080">Why create something new when there are
already existing procedures in the building design industry?<br>
</font><br>
<dd><font size=2 color="#000080"> <br>
</font><br>
<dd><font size=2 color="#000080">Renee<br>
</font><br>
<dd><font size=2 color="#000080"> <br>
</font><br>
<dd><font size=2 color="#000080"> <br>
</font><br>
<dd><font size=1 color="#0000FF">Renée Azerbegi, CEM, LEED-AP<br>
</b></font><br>
<dd><font size=1 color="#0000FF"> <br>
</b></font><br>
<dd><font size=1 color="#0000FF">President, Colorado Renewable Energy
Society - </b>cres-energy.org<br>
</font><br>
<dd><font size=1 color="#0000FF"> <br>
</b></font><br>
<dd><font size=1 color="#0000FF">ambient energy, inc. - solar &
sustainable design solutions<br>
</i></b></font><br>
<dd><font size=1 color="#0000FF">renee@ambient-e.com
ambient-e.com<br>
</font><br>
<dd><font size=1 color="#0000FF">4392 ulysses way, golden,
colorado 80403<br>
</font><br>
<dd><font size=1 color="#0000FF">tel: 303-278-1532 cell:
303-885-2695 fax: 303-278-8533<br>
</font><br>
<dd><font face="Times New Roman, Times"> <br>
</font><br>
<dd><font size=2 color="#000080"> <br>
<hr>
<div align="center"></font></div>
<dd><font face="Tahoma" size=2>From:</b> bldg-sim@gard.com
[<a href="mailto:bldg-sim@gard.com" eudora="autourl">
mailto:bldg-sim@gard.com</a>] On Behalf Of </b>Vern Smith<br>
<dd>Sent:</b> Monday, October 31, 2005 8:16 AM<br>
<dd>To:</b> bldg-sim@gard.com<br>
<dd>Cc:</b> bldg-sim@gard.com<br>
<dd>Subject:</b> [bldg-sim] Action Alert! How should "qualified
energy analysts" be certified for the new Federal commercial tax
incentives?<br>
</font><br>
<dd><font face="Times New Roman, Times"> <br>
</font><br>
<dd><font face="Times New Roman, Times">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>
<dd>Regards,<br>
<dd>Vern Smith<br><br>
<dd>Misuriello, Harry wrote:<br><br>
</font>
<dd><font size=2>Dear Building Energy Analysis Colleagues:<br>
</font><br>
<dd><font size=2> <br>
</font><br>
<dd><font size=2>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”.)<br>
</font><br>
<dd><font size=2> <br>
</font><br>
<dd><font size=2>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>.<br>
</font><br>
<dd><font size=2> <br>
</font><br>
<dd><font size=2>An excerpt from EPAct 2005 addressing this certification
is shown below.<br>
</font><br>
<dd><font size=2> <br>
</font><br>
<dd><font face="Times New Roman, Times">`(6) CERTIFICATION-<br>
</font><br>
<dd><font face="Times New Roman, Times">`(A) IN GENERAL- The Secretary
shall prescribe the manner and method for the making of certifications
under this section.<br>
</font><br>
<dd><font face="Times New Roman, Times">`(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.<br>
</font><br>
<dd><font face="Times New Roman, Times">`(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.<br>
</font><br>
<dd><font size=2> <br>
</font><br>
<dd><font size=2>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.<br>
</font><br>
<dd><font size=2> <br>
</font><br>
<dd><font size=2>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.<br>
</font><br>
<dd><font size=2> <br>
</font><br>
<dd><font size=2>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:<br>
</font><br>
<dd><font size=2>
<dd>Are there any existing energy analysis certification programs that
can be used as a model?</font>
<dd><font size=2>Is there any existing organization that could be
designated for certifying energy modelers?</font>
<dd><font size=2>Are there any training courses in modeling and energy
analysis that should be required?</font>
<dd><font size=2>What level of experience should be required for an
individual to be deemed capable for this work?</font>
<dd><font size=2>How should this experience be documented? Are
satisfactory client references for modeling projects acceptable?</font>
<dd><font size=2>Which of the following designations indicate that an
individual is qualified for energy modeling:</font>
<ul>
<li><font size=2>Licensed design professional (i.e. PE, AIA)?</font>
<li><font size=2>Certified Energy Manager (CEM) from the AEE?</font>
<li><font size=2>LEED-AP certification from the USGBC</font>
<li><font size=2>Other?</font>
<li><font size=2>No existing designation works for this purpose?</font>
</ul>
<li><font size=2>Is it practical to require no certification for energy
analysts and just have the licensed building designer sign off on the
analysis results?</font> <br>
<font size=2> <br>
</font><br>
<font size=2>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.<br>
</font><br>
<font size=2> <br>
</font><br>
<font size=2>Thank you for your consideration of these questions.<br>
</font><br>
<font size=2> <br>
</font><br>
<font size=2>Harry<br>
</font><br>
<font size=2> <br>
</font><br>
<font size=2>Ps---I apologize for any redundant cross postings. I’m
sending this out to all three of the energy modeling email lists.<br>
</font><br>
<font size=2> <br>
</font><br>
<font size=2>-----------------------<br>
</font><br>
<font size=2>Harry Misuriello<br>
</font><br>
<font size=2>Director of Buildings and Utility Programs<br>
</font><br>
<font size=2>Alliance to Save Energy<br>
</font><br>
<font size=2>1200 18th Street, NW, Suite 900<br>
</font><br>
<font size=2>Washington, DC 20036<br>
</font><br>
<font size=2>Tel: 202 530 2214<br>
</font><br>
<font size=2>Fax: 202 331 9588<br>
</font><br>
<font face="Times New Roman, Times"> <br>
</font><br>
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