May 27, 2009, Bethesda, MD –U.S. Reps. John Larson (D-CT) and Dean Heller (R-NV) last week introduced H.R. 2615 – The Energy Efficient Commercial Roofs Act of 2009. This bill provides a 30 percent tax credit for building owners who increase the roof insulation levels for new and existing buildings. These levels, as set out in the proposed law, are significantly higher than the recently adopted ASHRAE 90.1-2007 level for most jurisdictions.

Under this legislation, a qualified roof must have minimum R-values that, on average, are at least 75 percent more stringent than the R-values required under state and local building codes used today. R-value is a measurement of thermal resistance and is commonly used to describe the level of insulation in building walls and roofs. A higher R-value results in greater insulating effectiveness.

“This bill is an excellent first step in ensuring that the high performance roof can take its place in the list of strategies to make buildings more cost effective, energy efficient and environmentally friendly,” said Jared O. Blum, President of the Polyisocyanurate Insulation Manufacturers Association (PIMA).

"Reps. Larson and Heller have exhibited a keen understanding of the increasingly critical role that roofs play in the nation’s climate and energy security efforts. Whether it is storm water runoff, urban heat island, energy efficiency or energy production, it is clear that public policy needs to drive the design of our nation’s commercial buildings, and building owners must focus on the untapped potential of high performance roofs.”

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