42 U.S.C. § 16193: National Building Performance Initiative

Not later than 90 days after August 8, 2005 , the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy shall establish an interagency group to develop, in coordination with the advisory committee established under subsection (e), a National Building Performance Initiative (referred to in this section as the “Initiative”). The interagency group shall be co-chaired by appropriate officials of the Department and the Department of Commerce, who shall jointly arrange for the provision of necessary administrative support to the group. The Initiative shall integrate Federal, State, and voluntary private sector efforts to reduce the costs of construction, operation, maintenance, and renovation of commercial, industrial, institutional, and residential buildings. Not later than 1 year after August 8, 2005 , the interagency group shall submit to Congress a plan for carrying out the appropriate Federal role in the Initiative. research, development, demonstration, and commercial application of energy technology systems and materials for new construction and retrofit relating to the building envelope and building system components; research, development, demonstration, and commercial application of energy technology and infrastructure enabling the energy efficient, automated operation of buildings and building equipment; and the collection, analysis, and dissemination of research results and other pertinent information on enhancing building performance to industry, government entities, and the public. Within the Federal portion of the Initiative, the Department shall be the lead agency for all aspects of building performance related to use and conservation of energy. analyze and provide recommendations on potential private sector roles and participation in the Initiative; and review and provide recommendations on the plan described in subsection (c). Nothing in this section provides any Federal agency with new authority to regulate building performance.