The Federal Mechanical Insulation Act (FMIA) is progressing at a relatively rapid pace compared to most pieces of legislation. That was the message Mechanical Insulators Labor Management Cooperative Trust (LMCT) Executive Director Pete Ielmini discussed during his recent appearance on America’s Work Force Union Podcast.
Ielmini provided an update on the FMIA (H.R. 4663) to AWF podcast Host Ed “Flash” Ference during the Jan. 24 episode.
If passed, FMIA has great potential to create increased work opportunities for Heat and Frost Insulators and Allied Workers (HFIAW) members.
More co-sponsors could move bill forward in the House
With 35 House co-sponsors from both political parties, Ielmini is still seeking additional support from legislators for the FMIA and a companion bill they hope to have introduced in the U.S. Senate, he said.
If passed and signed into law, the FMIA would amend the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA) to clarify that mandatory energy audits of all public buildings, which are required every four years, would expand to evaluate the appropriate use of mechanical insulation in order to achieve energy efficiency goals.
There are over 350,000 federal buildings that could be made more energy-efficient through the proper installation of Mechanical Insulation, Ielmini said. Passing the FMIA will save taxpayers money by eliminating energy waste in federal buildings.
Mechanical Insulation Installation Incentive Act
Another bill, the Mechanical Insulation Installation Incentive Act, H.R. 6104, is intended to work in conjunction with the FMIA.
It was introduced with bipartisan support in late October by Rep. Linda Sanchez (D-Calif.) and Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.). Sanchez was also a co-sponsor of the FMIA. The bill offers a tax credit for anyone who includes the proper installation of mechanical insulation into a public or private building. Ielmini discussed the potential savings home or business owners could experience if the bill passes.
Listen to the entire America’s Work Force Union Podcast segment and learn more about the proposed legislation.