ATLANTA – Federal legislation signed into law this week will provide training for federal building personnel in the areas of building operations and maintenance, energy management, safety and design functions.

On Tuesday, Dec. 14, President Obama signed the Federal Buildings Personnel Training Act. The Act was introduced in April by Reps. Russ Carnahan (D-Mo.) and Judy Biggert (R-Il.) and Sen. Tom Carper (D-De.) and Susan Collins (R-Me.). It was supported by more than 33 leading organizations involved in the design, construction, operation and maintenance of buildings, including ASHRAE.

The legislation will help provide federal workers with the necessary training to construct and maintain environmentally sound buildings. Federal workers will be able to be trained in a series of core competencies relating to building operations, maintenance, energy management, and safety and future performance. Workers can take courses and be able to obtain licenses and certification for their efforts.

“This law is a significant advancement for the design, construction, operation and maintenance of our nation’s federal buildings,” Lynn G. Bellenger, ASHRAE president, said. “ASHRAE applauds the federal government for demonstrating what can be accomplished in building and maintaining energy efficient buildings with excellent indoor environmental quality.”

ASHRAE, founded in 1894, is an international organization of some 50,000 persons. ASHRAE fulfills its mission of advancing heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration to serve humanity and promote a sustainable world through research, standards writing, publishing and continuing education.