1. Grassroots Government Advocacy Committee Region [Number] CRC
[RVC name]
[RVC ]
[RVC phone]
[Date]

2. GGAC Responsibilities
The Grassroots Government Advocacy Committee shall be responsible for organizing ASHRAE members at the grassroots level to influence and educate local, state, provincial, and national government bodies and officials in areas of interest to ASHRAE members, in order to better coordinate efforts and understanding between ASHRAE members and government as well as being responsible for developing the extent and the manner in which ASHRAE implements and pursues actions to influence government affairs and public policy.
Most jobs in ASHRAE are easier when you have a committee to help. Once you have been appointed, or become aware of your chapter position as Program Chair(possibly comes with an officer position; Many Chapters have the President-Elect serve as Program Chair) consider creating a committee to help you become successful. Your success largely determines the success of the Chapter.
The Committee should consist of at least three people but that is largely open to your management style. Consider using local active Consulting Engineers(young and senior), your TEGA Chair, your Refrigeration Chair, your Student Activities Chair and a Past President. It is realized that this is not always possible in smaller chapters but should give you an idea of the possibilities.
Pre-planning is the absolute most important part of being successful. Attending this workshop(by the actual chapter program chair) is essential to this pre-planning effort.

3. Why? Member involvement and engagement Guidance and education
Broad scope
Not U.S.-centric
Official structure for these activities
Discrete emphasis on interactions with local governments
Reports to Members Council

4. Society GGAC Structure
Chair (Presidential Member)
First Vice Chair
Second Vice Chair
Communications Coordinator
Fifteen Regional Vice-Chairs
Two At-Large Members
BOD ex officio
BOD Coordinating Officer
Consultant
Representative from Members Council
Representatives from Publishing and Education Council
Representative of Tech Council
Staff Liaisons

5. Where Does GGAC Fit In?
Many ASHRAE-relevant policy issues are decided at the provincial, state and local level
Chapter members are most knowledgeable about their community
Establish your chapter as a resource for local decision makers

6. Grassroots Relationships
Chapters and sections should develop relationships with local chapters of other organizations
Institutes of Architects
Building Owners and Managers Association
International Code Council
International Facilities Managers Assn.
National Society of Professional Engineers
Green Building Councils

7. Grassroots Relationships
Many Society-level Memoranda of Understanding
Formalize scope of relationships between ASHRAE and other organizations
List of MOUs – updated regularly – available on ASHRAE’s website
ashrae/policies-and-procedures

8. Grassroots Relationships
Joint meetings and networking events
Regular discussions about possible opportunities for collaboration
Technical programming
Working with policymakers to speak to ASHRAE core policy concerns that may impact their organizations as well

9. What Chapters and Members Can Say

10. Engagement with Policymakers
Serve as clearinghouse of grassroots government adoptions of ASHRAE- endorsed standards, guidelines, and positions

11. Engagement with Policymakers
Encourage active, informed membership by keeping local, provincial, state and federal governments updated on technical issues

12. Limitations
If requested by grassroots governmental body to assist in writing or development of regulations, codes, ordinances, or laws, or law, or to participate in advisory group to grassroots government agency, upon BOG approval, go ahead, BUT

13. Limitations
Chapters, sections, and members may speak to technical or method‐of‐enforcement aspects of public policy only and must not support a political party or candidate

14. Limitations
Chapters, sections, and members must not jeopardize chapter’s tax status, or cause chapter, section, or member to exceed local, provincial or state limits regarding registration as “lobbyist” or “lobbying organization”

15. Limitations
Chapters, sections, and members must not request or receive any travel or transportation reimbursement (as defined by ASHRAE Travel Policy), nor any reimbursement for time away from regular employment, for activity
This is a US focused slide and concerns reimbursement that could give the appearance that the member is lobbying.

16. “Lobbying” vs. “Advocacy”
In the simplest terms…
Lobbying
Advocacy

17. “Lobbying” v. “Advocacy”
Laws and regulations vary state to state, jurisdiction to jurisdiction, country to country, so consult the law no matter what

18. Staying Out of Trouble
It is YOUR responsibility to know what can and can’t be done – and to convey the same to your chapter chairs

19. GGAC Public Policy Priorities
Limitations Outlined
ROB Section 2.433
MCO Section 2.6
GGAC MOP
GGAC Resource Manual
GGAC Public Policy Priorities
government-advocacy

20. ASHRAE-Approved Documents
Published Standards and Guidelines
Public Policy Issue Briefs
Position Documents
All are available on ASHRAE website

21. Management by Objectives (MBOs)
Management by Objectives (MBO) is a tool used by all ASHRAE Committees which seeks to improve performance by clearly defining objectives that are agreed to by the ASHRAE Board of Directors and the Committees. Participation in goal setting and action plans helps ensure better alignment of objectives across the organization.
RVC to fill in as each RVC will assign these to the chapters

22. Chapter Chair Responsibilities
Review Section 2.6 of the MCO
Work with the chapter to keep local, provincial and state governments updated on technical issues
Inform the chapter members of local, provincial and state government issues
Seek the appointment of chapter members to local, provincial and state governmental bodies
Maintain a list of all elected officials in the jurisdictions within the chapter’s geographical boundaries
Maintain a list of appointed or hired government employees who have a role in the enforcement or adoption of local codes or standards relevant to the building sciences

23. Chapter Chair Responsibilities
Provide tools to train and enable chapter members to effect positive interactions with government entities in their communities
Serve as a conduit to keep their chapter leaders, RVC, and the Government Affairs Office staff informed on local governmental activities of interest to ASHRAE
Liaising chapter members with educational, advocacy and programs-related groups within ASHRAE
Serving as a clearinghouse of grassroots government adoptions of ASHRAE-endorsed standards, guidelines, and positions

24. GGAC Emphases for Society Year 2017-18
Day on the Hill visits
resources and staff are available to assist with and participate in a new Day on the Hill in your jurisdiction
Initiate contact with national publicly elected and appointed officials at their offices in local areas (for example, US Senate and Congressional district offices)
Public Policy Priorities with special emphases as highlighted in red on following four slides

25. Public Policy Priorities
A. Energy Utilization
1. Building Design Criteria (90.1, AEDGs, etc.)
a. What has been updated and what can be shared with government officials
2. EE in existing buildings
a. Building EQ
3. Codes and Standards
a. Adoption of Current Versions
*-areas highlighted in red are for primary emphasis in Society Year

26. Public Policy Priorities (continued)
B. Public Safety
1. Legionella
a. Promotion of Standard 188
2. Licensure issues
a. Response to state efforts to implement MOE or to abolish state licensing boards
3. Refrigerant safety
a. Educate officials on updated Standards on flammable refrigerants in commercial/industrial settings
*-areas highlighted in red are for primary emphasis in Society Year

27. Public Policy Priorities (continued)
C. IEQ
1. Building Design Criteria (62.1, 55)
a. What has been updated and what can be shared with government officials
2 Codes and Standards
a. Updated list
3. Air-borne and Water-borne hazards
a. Legislative issues at the state and local levels
*-areas highlighted in red are for primary emphasis in Society Year

28. Public Policy Priorities (continued)
D. Residential Construction 1. Codes and Standards a. Update government officials on 90.2 when complete 2. Residential Refrigerants Safety a. Educate officials on possible use of flammable refrigerants in residential settings – see following slides on Refrigerants *-areas highlighted in red are for primary emphasis in Society Year

29. Why Flammable Refrigerants?
An amendment was passed to the Montreal Protocol to require phase-down of HFCs which leaves flammable refrigerants as replacements
Overview of flammable refrigerant research sponsored by ASHRAE, AHRI, DOE, & California C

30. August 2016 Refrigerant Update – Speaker Notes
Residential Refrigerant Replacements
R-452B
“DR-55”
Blend
26% R-1234yf
7% R-125
67% R-32
R-32
HFC
HCFC
Low GWP
R-410A
Blend
50% R-125
50% R-32
R-32
52% R-134a
25% R-125
23% R-32
R-407C
Glide
Flammable
R-22
Let’s look at the high pressure refrigerant transition first…
With the phase-out of R-22, three options were available and – at the time – R-410A emerged as the replacement:
R-407C was not ideal because of issues with glide (separation of the gases as they travel through the machine, which complicates service as it would be unknown which component of the mixture leaked) and
R-32 was discredited because if its flammability.
With the next transition (to low-GWP options), as an industry, we are coming to accept some degree of flammability, so R-32 is now being considered again as a replacement option. However, there is another option that has emerged – R-452B. This is a new refrigerant from Chemours that was referred to as “DR-55” during its development phase, but which has recently been assigned its R# of 452B.
The table provides a comparison of the different high pressure options, starting with R-22, then showing R-410A as a baseline for comparison for the impact on capacity for the two replacement alternatives.
Note that both R-452B and R-32 carry the “2L” (slightly flammable) rating, but we’ll look at that further in a moment…
They have similar GWPs, at levels that both fall below the 700 and 750 thresholds in the Canadian and Californian phase out proposals.
But something interesting happens when you look at capacity… R-452B offers a 6% capacity GAIN compared to R-410A, while R-32 brings a 4% LOSS of capacity.
But… what about efficiency?

31. Refrigerant Safety Classifications ASHRAE 34 & Proposed ISO 817
Flammability
Class 1, non-flammable, most refrigerants used today: R-22, R-134a, R123, 410A, 407C
Class 2L, new class slightly flammable refrigerants <10 cm/sec burning velocity: most new HFO’s and R-32
Class 2, more flammable: R-152
Class 3, explosive: propane
As identified on the previous page, flammability safety is a big concern. In this regard, various safety standards have been working on how to address the flammability concerns.
As most are likely familiar with are the 3 classes of flammability for ASHRAE standard 34. Class 1 non-flammable, class 2 and 3 increasing flammable
In the past, all the new refrigerants maintain non-flammability and fit well into this classification system.
Some HFC’s like R32, R143a are flammable by this classification system and were ignored as potential candidates during the ODP transition since they could be blended with non-flammable refrigerant to obtain the safety required. In the last transition, R32 gained a lot of attention around it’s unique flammability properties, and a new classification system was developed to potential handle these “slightly flammable refrigerants” As identified earlier new refrigerants like R1234yf and R1234ze were also 2L flammable. These refrigerants are easy to ignite and sustain a flame, but more research is needed into the hazards of combustion of these materials.
2L class key to use of low GWP HFOs

32. Identified High Priority Projects
AHRTI Research:
AHRTI-9007: Benchmarking Risk by Real Life Leaks and Ignitions Testing
AHRTI-9008: Investigation of Hot surface Ignition Temperature (HSIT) for A2L Refrigerants
AHRTI-9009: Leak Detection of A2L Refrigerants in HVACR Equipment
ASHRAE Research:
ASHRAE-1806: Flammable Refrigerants Post-Ignition Simulation and Risk Assessment Update
ASHRAE-1807:Guidelines for Flammable Refrigerant Handling, Transporting, Storing and Equipment Servicing, Installation and Dismantling
ASHRAE-1808: Servicing and Installing Equipment using Flammable Refrigerants: Assessment of Field-made Mechanical Joints
DOE Research:
ORNL: Investigate the proper basis for setting charge limits of A2L, A2, and A3 for various types of products
NIST: Modeling tools for low-GWP refrigerant blends flammability

33. Presidential Award of Excellence
Categories outline Society GGAC priority activities
Should serve as guidance for chapters and sections on how to organize GGAC programming – especially in initial phases

34. Presidential Award of Excellence
ASHRAE’s President-Elect decides the specific point allocations
PAOE recognizes and rewards members who perform activities to support ASHRAE initiatives
PAOE Newsletter, Instructions, and Award Descriptions are available at
PAOE Points for Society Year have not yet been finalized by President-Elect Tim Wentz but recommendations have been made from GGAC to him. A few items were recommended for change but most remain the same.
Minimum
Par
500 Points
650 Points

35. GGAC PAOE POINTS 2017-18 Points Responsibility 50 points
For establishing and maintaining a chapter Grassroots Government Advocacy Committee with at least 2 members to promote ASHRAE with state, provincial, and local government.
50 points (minimum of 1 hour of training; 100 points maximum)
For grassroots government advocacy training for chapter officers and future leaders.
150 points
For establishing and annually updating a list of government officials (at any level of government relevant to buildings, engineering or construction, including building officials, school system facility staff, state energy code officials, etc.) along with their contact information. (List must be sent to RVC by December 15 or date assigned by RVC)

36. GGAC PAOE POINTS 2017-18 Points Responsibility 300 points (Max 1200)
Points
Responsibility
300 points (Max 1200)
For each building located within the area used to determine the Chapter’s area assigned members receiving a Building Energy Quotient (bEQ) rating if the Chapter promoted bEQ
100 points (Max 1000)
For each announced and promoted or held joint chapter meeting with local, state, or provincial government entity to discuss a built environment or HVAC&R industry-related topic
100 points (Max 800)
For each documented personal contact (meeting) by a chapter member with government officials (at any level of government relevant to buildings, engineering or construction, including building officials, school system facility staff, state energy code officials, etc.) with the goal of promoting ASHRAE related subjects or Chapter goals and objectives, with notification sent to the ASHRAE Government Affairs Office (Points doubled if the chapter promotes current or recently updated ASHRAE Standards, ASHRAE certifications or bEQ)
100 points
For each National Engineers’ Week or non-US equivalent activity that promotes Engineering

37. GGAC PAOE POINTS 2017-18 Points Responsibility 100 points (Max 600)
For promotion of ASHRAE certification programs with government officials, engineers, personal presentations, newsletters
50 points (Max: 50)
For maintaining a current listing of local and state Energy code(s) for entities within chapter area; include contacts for people managing the Energy Code(s)
50 points (Max 100)
For each Chapter program on the topic of government activities (minimum 45 minute presentation; maximum 2)
100 points
For each National Engineers’ Week or non-US equivalent activity that promotes Engineering
300 points (Max: 300)
For a complete application submitted to the GGAC for the Government Affairs Award
200 points
For the incoming Chapter GGA committee chair attending the GGAC CRC workshop (50 points for chapter representative other than the chair who is a senior officer or member of GGAC)

38. GGAC PAOE POINTS 2017-18 Points Responsibility 100 points
For chapter GGAC chair continuing a second year as chair (200 points for an additional year with a cap of 300 points in one year)
For chapter submitting report(s) with local issues identified to RVC (with a cap of 400 points in one year)
50 points (Max 100)
For planning/goal setting session with RVC (points assigned by RVC by October 1 or 2 weeks after the CRC, whichever is later)
10 points
(Max 200)
For chapter interaction with local or state government to advocate policy related to buildings, engineering or construction. The total points shall be determined by the RVC based on effort
(Max 100)
For achieving goals established in goal-setting session with RVC (points assigned by RVC by June 30)
For each GGAC meeting to promote using an Energy Code based on ASHRAE standards with Energy Code contacts; must report to RVC

39. Grassroots Government Advocacy Award
Recognizes an individual demonstrating outstanding efforts, in state, federal, provincial, and/or local government on technical or policy issues important to ASHRAE
Chapter Chairs submit nominations to the RVC for regional award
Additional information regarding the Award can be found in Section 1 of the GGAC Resource Manual Section I

40. ENGINEERS WEEK PROCLAMATIONS
Engineers week is FEBRUARY 18-24, 2018
We are working on to how obtain proclamations easily (check GGAC website for information)
Puts chapters in front of government officials
Can be a proclamation from a Mayor, Governor or any other elected official
We recommend other activities with EWeek as well; visit the NSPE website below
Learn more at:
MORE TO COME ON THIS!!!

41. Resources RVC Other Chapter Chairs
Society Staff Liaisons Alice Yates and Jim Scarborough [DC Office] and
ASHRAE Government Affairs website ( nment-affairs)
ASHRAE’s bi-weekly Government Affairs Update ( rnment-affairs/government- affairs-updates)