WASHINGTON—Today, Congresswoman Linda T. Sánchez (D-CA) introduced the Federal Mechanical Insulation Act(FMIA), legislation that seeks to ensure federal buildings are utilizing mechanical insulation, an important technology for energy efficiency applied to mechanical systems including piping, equipment, vessels, HVAC, boilers, and other similar equipment.

“As we continue efforts to bring down costs, reduce emissions, and protect our environment, energy efficiency has become a leading issue across the country. Still, mechanical insulation – a practical and helpful solution – is often overlooked,” said Congresswoman Linda Sánchez. “Mechanical insulation improves working environments, reduces energy demand, lowers energy costs, and increases the asset value of a building. It accomplishes all of this while creating tens of thousands of American jobs. This legislation makes changes to the Energy Independence and Security Act to ensure our federal building managers, where appropriate, utilize mechanical insulation.”

The Federal Mechanical Insulation Act makes changes to the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA) to clarify that energy and water evaluations (i.e., audits) already required under law should evaluate the appropriate use of mechanical insulation to achieve energy efficiency goals. In recognition of the important role that mechanical insulation plays in lowering operating expenses, reducing energy loss, and decreasing emissions, the legislation makes the following three specific changes to portions of the EISA:

    defines “mechanical insulation property” as materials, facings, and accessory products that are part of a mechanical system and that reduce energy loss from that mechanical system – thereby allowing for the inclusion of these items as qualifying energy and water efficiency measures; and

    expands the definition of “energy and water evaluations” to include identification of energy- and water-saving measures (including installation of mechanical insulation property, if applicable); and

    requires a qualified individual to install mechanical insulation property. A qualified individual is defined as one who has completed an apprenticeship registered under the National Apprenticeship Act of 1937.

The Federal Mechanical Insulation Act is co-sponsored by Yvette Clarke (D-NY), Danny Davis (D-IL), and Paul Tonko (D-NY), Nanette Barragán, (D-CA), Gwen Moore (D-WI), and Sean Casten (D-IL).

The legislation is also supported by a diverse array of industry stakeholders such as business and labor interests, including:

    BuildingAction
    Central States Insulation Association (CSIA)
    Eastern States Insulation Contractors Association (ESICA)
    International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Allied Workers (HFIAW)
    Mechanical Insulators Labor Management Cooperative Trust (LMCT)
    North America’s Building Trades Unions (NABTU)
    National Union Insulation Contractors Alliance (NUICA)
    Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers (SMART)

“As General President for the International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Allied Workers, one of the fourteen building trades, I want to offer my support for the Federal Mechanical Insulation Act of 2022,” said Terrence Larkin, General President of the International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Allied Workers (HFIAW). “This is the exact type of political cooperation that is needed to bring awareness to the value of Mechanical Insulation as an effective energy efficient technology that needs to be utilized in all our buildings. This successful legislation will increase the energy efficiency of our structures coupled with increased work opportunities for working families in all our communities. Increased insulation utilization will lower the building’s carbon footprint by utilizing mechanical insulation improvements and audits. We greatly appreciate the leadership of Representative Linda Sánchez for her passion and continuing support of our Insulators’ families to elevate the country’s consciousness of the energy conservation landscape.”