President Obama recently announced an ambitious plan to dramatically improve the energy efficiency of U.S. businesses with some tax and incentive elements from Building Star and other programs endorsed by the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association (SMACNA). If implemented, the President’s commercial facilities efficiency proposal, “Better Buildings Initiative,” could save businesses nearly $40 billion yearly in their utility bills across the next ten years and drastically raise building productivity.

According to Jim Boone, president of the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association, “SMACNA endorses President Obama’s Better Buildings Initiative because increased energy efficiency in commercial buildings can quickly serve our nation’s goals for energy independence, national security, environment quality and skilled job creation, while slashing energy costs for building owners.”

“SMACNA members have been national leaders on the front line delivering far greater energy efficiency in a very tough economy,” Boone explained.

In announcing the “Better Buildings Initiative,” President Obama said that "If you’re willing to make your buildings more energy efficient, we’ll provide new tax credits and financing opportunities for you to do so." He noted that the “Better Buildings Initiative” would give the private sector "cash upfront" to invest in energy efficient improvements – incentives that could boost the economy as well as increase manufacturing and private sector jobs.