 
Vinyl Institute Asks Industry to Join in Opposing
USGBC Credit
March 2, 2010
Gregory J. Bocchi, president of the Vinyl Institute, is asking others
to join him in opposing the U.S. Green Building Council's (USGBC)
Pilot Credit 2, which, according to Bocchi, "would reward avoidance
of building products made from PVC/vinyl or other halogenated compounds."
According to the proposed credit (CLICK
HERE to view it), the intent is to reduce the release of persistent
bioaccumulative toxic chemicals (PBTs) associated with the life
cycle of building materials. Additionally, materials manufactured
without added halogenated organic compounds for at least 75 percent
(by cost) of the material totals in a minimum of three of the following
four groups would be required: exterior components (including at
a minimum, roof membranes, waterproofing membranes, door and window
frames, siding); interior finishes (including at a minimum, flooring,
base, ceiling tiles, wall coverings and window treatments); piping,
conduit and electrical boxes; and building-installed electrical
cable and wire jacketing.
The Vinyl Institute met with USGBC staff in December to protest
this pilot credit and ask for evaluation criteria.
"We have followed up on that meeting recently and yet continue
to be met with silence on the issues that need answering - why the
credit was proposed, how it can be justified given USGBC's own life-cycle
study, and how it will be evaluated in a meaningful, performance-based
way," says Bocchi, who adds that others in the industry need
to voice their objections as well.
"We hope CEOs or other top executives of building product companies
will jointly sign this letter as a way to make a powerful collective
statement against this unjustified and discriminatory pilot credit."
One window industry member who also opposes the credit is Wayne
Gorell, chief executive officer for Gorell Windows and Doors.
"I'm at a loss as to why USGBC decided to not allow PVC products
to participate in this program. It makes no sense. PVC is an accepted
green product, [that has?] less impact on the environment to create
great energy-saving benefits, and [is] totally recyclable. I hope
they come to their senses and accept PVC as the great material for
use in windows and doors."
Bocchi sent a request to all members of the American Architectural
Manufacturers Association's (AAMA) Vinyl Materials Council requesting
these members voice their concerns as well.
AAMA president Rich Walker encourages AAMA members to express their
concerns to USGBC President Rick Fedrizzi.
"The vinyl medical and packaging industry segments lave been
attacked by radical environmental activists for years. The U.S.
Green Building Council's Pilot Credit 2 is the manifestation of
another one of these unfounded anti-vinyl material campaign attacks,
which now promotes the avoidance of all vinyl building products.
USGBC has no scientific or due process justification for this approach,"
Walker says.
Bocchi says the Vinyl Institute plans to collect names, titles and
companies that agree to support this effort, list them at the end
of the letter, then deliver the letter to Fedrizzi.
Those interested in joining this effort can e-mail their name, title,
company name and address to leeschilling@gmail.com.
CLICK
HERE to view the proposed letter.
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