August 10, 2009 | GBI Insight Home

GBI Testifies Before Senate Committee

Following GBI testimony at two previous Senate Committee hearings, we were invited to participate in an Earth Day hearing before the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, on the subject of “Oversight of the GSA and Energy Efficiency in Public Buildings.” Testifying on GBI’s behalf was board member and noted energy expert, Dr. Harvey Bryan.

Among the main points communicated was the fact that many buildings designed to be energy efficient fall short once operational, a reality to which GSA is not immune despite its many successes.  A key to solving this problem, said Dr. Bryan, will be to shift the mindset of people who design, construct and operate buildings so that form follows function and performance goals—which should include occupant comfort as well as energy and water efficiency—become fundamental considerations from initial concept through design, construction, operations and renovation. 

The second major point of the testimony was the importance of measurement—and specifically, the fact that measuring buildings before and after they undergo renovation must be a priority.  To that end, Dr. Bryan stressed that the GBI’s Green Globes system is a good example of how practical and affordable tools can play an important role.

Please click here to read the full testimony.