GRC-Pirk Management said it will implement the energy-savings aspects of the Building Star legislation introduced by the Senate to provide new incentives for early compliance with EPA’s surface coating rule.

The EPA surface coating rule, also known as HAPs 6H Rule, requires shops to do several things to prevent air pollution during spray painting activities no later than Jan. 11, 2011. The initial costs to a shop when beginning to meet this rule may be made up by putting the senator’s legislation into practice, according to Steven Schillinger, president of GRC-Pirk Management.

Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley and Senator Mark Pryor of Arkansas introduced legislation March 4 promoting the installation of energy-efficient renovations to benefit small businesses.

In addition to rebates to reduce the cost of energy-saving measures such as spray booth retrofits, Building Star also will extend low-interest financing options to shop owners. Such financing arrangement helps a small business with the upfront cost of renovation by letting them pay off the cost out of the savings on their energy bill.

“Retrofitting businesses to reduce their energy usage isn’t just about protecting the environment and cutting energy costs – it’s about rebuilding our economy, too,” says Senator Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio). “Investments in energy efficiency retrofitting can spur economic growth in Ohio’s manufacturing sector and increase property values. A national retrofitting agenda can generate billions of dollars in savings and hundreds of thousands of new jobs.”

“I strongly support efforts to move toward energy independence through increased energy efficiency, which reduces emissions while creating jobs,” says Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.). “That’s why I support ways for states and local governments to help businesses finance the upfront costs of energy-efficiency measures.”

Among items proposed to be covered by the Building Star incentives are building envelope insulation; mechanical insulation; spray booth heaters, HVAC equipment, water heaters, and boilers; building energy audits, commissioning, tune-ups, and training; and energy monitoring systems.

Backers hope to see Building Star included in the forthcoming federal jobs legislation. The financing components of Building Star were first put forward when Merkley and Senator Richard Lugar (R-Ind.) introduced the Consumer and Business Clean Energy Financing Act of 2009.