Pete Ielmini, Executive Director of the Mechanical Insulators Labor Management Cooperative Trust (LMCT), joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to provide an update on the Federal Mechanical Insulation Act. He also discussed how fire stopping education could assist the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development create safer properties.
The Federal Mechanical Insulation Act has not been voted on by the U.S. House of Representatives yet but Ielmini discussed the growing bipartisan support for the proposed legislation. The proposed legislation has 86 House members as co-sponsors, from both sides of the aisle. Ielmini explained how the bill would add mechanical insulation audits for all federal buildings, which can improve energy efficiency, save tax dollars and reduce air pollution.
Ielmini is hopeful the Federal Mechanical Insulation Act will be passed through the House and the Senate companion bill will be introduced before the end of the year. While the process has been slow, he hopes to see progress on both bills soon. According to Ielmini, if the Federal Mechanical Insulation Act becomes law, it will be the first law that would be directly aimed at the Mechanical Insulation industry.
In other developments, the LMCT has been working with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to include fire stopping and mechanical insulation inspections to their annual audits. Ielmini talked about a tragic 2021 fire in Brooklyn, N.Y. that serves as an example of why fire stopping education is crucial. He explained how fire stopping inspections are done and how they could help HUD save money and protect the lives of residents in their buildings.
For more from Ielmini, please listen to the show above.