Check back often for the latest updates on how NIA is putting the spotlight on insulation through the activities of NIA's Foundation for Education, Training, and Industry Advancement. The Foundation was created to increase awareness of the benefits of insulation to external audiences. NIA’s Foundation works with strategic partners to gain recognition for the need to properly design and maintain insulation systems and also maintains an active presence on Capitol Hill and works to introduce and support legislation that can increase the use of insulation and benefit the industry.

NIA Joins Broad Coalition to Support Family-Owned Businesses

May 2021: NIA and 115 other organizations urged U.S. Senate and House leadership to protect family-owned businesses from tax increases by defending stepped-up basis and opposing any changes to current law. The letter with an accompanying economic study illustrates how repealing stepped-up basis by imposing capital gains taxes when assets transfer ownership at death would force many family-owned businesses to liquidate assets or lay off employees to cover the tax burden. This new tax would be imposed on top of any existing estate tax liability, further compounding the negative impacts and creating a second tax at death.

Click here to read the letter and report.

The 2020 Fly-In Has Become a Call-In Because Congress Needs to Hear from the Insulation Industry

Here's an Easy Way to Take Action: Call and Share with Congress how the COVID-19 crisis is affecting your business and our industry

The 2020 Insulation Industry Washington, DC, Fly-In, which was scheduled for May 19-20, has been canceled. However, it is more important than ever that members of Congress hear from you to understand how the COVID-19 crisis affects your business and our industry. You are extremely busy, so we want to make connecting with Congress as easy as possible. If you are willing to spend a few minutes talking by phone to a Senator or Representative from the states where you are an employer, simply click here to complete the registration form. We will take it from there and set up the phone calls. As this is an urgent matter, please sign up now if you are interested in participating.

Possible topics for the calls include:

• Why the construction industry must be considered essential and remain open while adhering to the appropriate risk mitigation practices during this crisis.
• The steps our industry is taking to protect worker safety.
• The challenges of stopping and starting operations and supply chains.
• If your company has tried to access Small Business Administration loans, how that experience went.
• The likelihood of company layoffs and scaling back of capital investment because of the crisis.
• How the construction industry can be part of the strategy to put Americans back to work.

This targeted outreach is a chance to have policymakers understand how this crisis is impacting our industry specifically. Conversations with your Senators and Representatives will increase the likelihood that leaders in Washington consider the experiences of the insulation industry when the recovery begins.

Take action by clicking here to register.
Click here for talking points.

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CANCELED: Join the NIA Industry Delegation on Capitol Hill

Insulation Industry National Policy and Advocacy Conference
May 19-20, 2020
Washington, DC

We invite NIA members to participate in the Insulation Industry National Policy and Advocacy Conference and contribute to a strong delegation to meet with Congressional representatives. All NIA members are welcome to attend the conference, which takes place May 19-20, in Washington, DC. Advocacy training is provided.

For more details on the 2020 event, visit www.insulationadvocacy.org. For information about joining the NIA delegation, please email Kristin V. DiDomenico at kdidomenico@insulation.org.

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Thank you!

NIA thanks our members and partners for helping support the 2019 Insulation Industry National Policy and Advocacy Forum and Capitol Hill Fly-In, which took place May 21–22 in Washington, DC. Together, we held 90 meetings with the offices of Representatives and Senators on Capitol Hill to advance the industry by engaging with policymakers about the substantial contributions of the insulation industry, as well as its key priorities and challenges. During the event, an economic study was released on the contributions of insulation to the U.S. economy in 2018, which reported that the insulation industry—including the manufacture, distribution and installation of insulation—generates more than 550,000 jobs in the U.S. and more than $33 billion in payrolls that support families and local communities around the country. Read more about this report in an upcoming issue of Insulation Outlook magazine.

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Capitol Hill Policymakers to Hear from Insulation Leaders

Insulation Industry National Policy Forum to take place May 21-22 on Capitol Hill

WASHINGTON (May 22, 2019) – The insulation industry is hosting the third-annual Insulation Industry National Policy Forum May 21-22 at the Liaison Capitol Hill Hotel in Washington, D.C. where organizations plan to engage with policymakers about the substantial contributions of the insulation industry, as well as its key priorities and challenges.

Participating organizations include: American Chemistry Council’s (ACC) Center for the Polyurethanes Industry (CPI) and Spray Foam Coalition (SFC), Cellulose Insulation Manufacturers Association (CIMA), Extruded Polystyrene Association (XPSA), Insulation Contractors Association of America (ICAA), National Insulation Association (NIA), North American Insulation Manufacturers Association (NAIMA), Polyisocyanurate Insulation Manufacturers Association (PIMA), Structural Insulated Panel Association (SIPA) and their respective member companies.

The insulation industry has three key priorities it will focus on during the Policy Forum and beyond:

• Ensure federal infrastructure policies support the construction of energy efficient, resilient buildings;
• Address climate change through actions that increase the energy efficiency of buildings – perhaps the most cost effective opportunity for significant GHG reductions; and
• Support federal policies that promote a legally admitted, foreign-born workforce for the construction industry.

An economic study released by ACC this month on the contributions of insulation to the U.S. economy in 2018 reported the insulation industry – including the manufacture, distribution and installation of insulation – generates more than 550,000 jobs in the U.S. and more than $33 billion in payrolls that support families and local communities around the country.

In addition, insulation manufacturing is a $16 billion business and directly employs more than 39,000 people across 45 states. Indirectly, through its purchases of supplies, raw materials, equipment and services, insulation manufacturing supports an additional 57,400 jobs in supply-chain industries. Through the household spending of the wages and salaries paid to workers in insulation manufacturing and their suppliers, an additional 65,000 payroll-induced jobs are supported.

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Insulation Industry National Policy Conference & Capitol Hill Fly-In
May 21–22, 2019

(April 1, 2019) Get up-to-speed on policy issues that affect the industry, and make your voice heard by meeting Congressional representatives in the nation’s Capitol.

This event will bring insulation industry leaders and professionals together with law and policymakers to discuss the industry’s top priorities and concerns, and to advocate for policies that promote the energy efficiency benefits achieved through insulation. All NIA members are welcome and no previous lobbying experience is necessary. The event organizers will pair NIA members with Congressional representatives and provide group talking points. Your participation will strengthen the collective voice of the insulation industry!

Insulation Industry National Policy Conference & Capitol Hill Fly-In
May 21–22, 2019

To register and for more information, email Kristin DiDomenico.

Meeting Location:
The Liaison Capitol Hill Hotel
415 New Jersey Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20001

(202) 638-1616
Online: www.liaisoncapitolhill.com
Phone: 1-888-513-7455
Group Code: NAIMA19 (Rate $369/night)

Schedule Overview: Tuesday, May 21, 2019

12:00 – 12:45 pm: Welcome Luncheon
12.45 pm: Greeting / Program Overview / Antritrust Reminder
1:00 – 5:00 pm: Forum Speakers

• • What to Expect This Congress
    Bruce Mehlman – National Political Strategist, Mehlman, Castagnetti, Rosen and Thomas
  • National Housing and Construction Outlook
    Robert Dietz – Chief Economist, National Association of Homebuilders
  • Charting the Federal Response to Climate Debate
    The Honorable Paul Tonko (D-New York) – Chairman, House Environment and Climate Change Subcommittee
  • Achieving a Carbon Neutral Building Stock: New York’s Policy Roadmap
    Greg Hale – Senior Advisor, Office of the Governor, State of New York (Invited)
  • Workforce Challenges and Opportunities in Residential Construction
    Clayton Traylor – Leading Builders of America
  • Insights on Covering the Trump White House
    Jonathan Swan – National Political Reporter for Axios Media

5:30 – 7:30 pm: Social Hour – Liaison Hotel Rooftop Bar

Wednesday, May 22, 2019

7:15 am: Breakfast
7:45 am: Issues Overview / Effective Advocacy 101
8:45 am: Depart for Capitol Hill
9:00 am – 3:00 pm: Congressional Meetings (schedules and groups to be provided at registration)

Get Updates: NIA will be live tweeting the event using the hashtag #insulate4 and #NIAmeets.

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Join Us in DC at the Capitol Hill Fly-In

Insulation Industry National Policy Conference & Capitol Hill Fly-In
May 21–22, 2019
Liaison Capitol Hill, Washington, DC
To register and for more information, email Kristin DiDomenico.

All NIA members are encouraged to attend the 2019 Insulation Industry National Policy Conference and Capitol Hill Fly-In. No previous lobbying experience is necessary. Insulation industry participants representing all segments of the commercial, industrial, and residential insulation segments will be coming from across the country to discuss the value of insulation with our nation’s legislative officials.

The conference includes a luncheon and presentations with high-profile speakers on immigration and workforce policy, infrastructure and disaster resilience, and climate change policy—along with advocacy training and pre-arranged Capitol Hill meetings. Your participation will strengthen the collective voice of the insulation industry! White Papers on these issues will also be provided. This is the second year that NIA members are participating, and last year’s event was a tremendous success with over 100 participants descending on Capitol Hill.

 “Last year’s Capitol Hill Fly-In was an amazing day for me! It was exciting to visit Capitol Hill for the first time and engage in important conversations about mechanical insulation. The event organizers effectively made participation easy. Your legislative appointments are made, your team is diversified to represent a variety of industry sectors, and the focused talking points provide the framework for us to share our unique industry perspectives that our legislators need to hear. I had never lobbied on Capitol Hill before, but what I took away from the day is our voices are valued in this arena to share the enormous benefits of insulation with our nation’s lawmakers.”—Dana Vlk, NIA President-Elect, and Senior Advisor, Distribution International, Inc.

“As many of our members know all too well, the numerous benefits of mechanical insulation are not well known, especially on the Hill. With the strength of the full insulation industry, the fly-in provides a powerful presence to have insulation recognized and an important singular opportunity to make the case for mechanical insulation directly to our lawmakers and influence real change. I hope you will join NIA in this special opportunity and help make the voice of the insulation industry heard.” —Michele M. Jones, NIA CEO/EVP

The event is being organized by the Insulation Industry Association Council, (IIAC), of which NIA is a founding member. If you are interested in attending this year, please contact Kristin DiDomenico at kdidomenico@insulation.org or 703-464-6422, ext. 115.

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Thank You!

NIA would like to thank the organizers and all of our member companies that participated in the Insulation Industry National Policy Forum. For a complete list of the activities, speakers, and Capitol Hill meetings, please read the article on the event in the upcoming issue of NIA News.

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NIA Members Visit Lawmakers On Capitol Hill

As part of the Insulation Industry National Policy Forum on May 9, 2018, over 25 people from the National Insulation Association (NIA) members companies are meeting with members of Congress in Washington, DC. In total 86 meetings with the offices of Representatives and Senators will be held with 110  insulation industry leaders to discuss the advancement of the insulation industry.

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NIA to Participate in Insulation Industry National Policy Forum

On May 8–9, 2018, the National Insulation Association (NIA) is traveling to Washington, DC, to participate in an Insulation Industry National Policy Forum. The objective of this forum is to discuss national policies that affect the insulation industry and to advocate for changes that will help support and grow the industry.

This is NIA’s first year attending the forum. Other participating organizations include: American Chemistry Council (ACC), through the Center for the Polyurethanes Industry (CPI) and the Spray Foam Coalition (SFC); the Polyisocyanurate Insulation Manufacturers Association (PIMA); North American Insulation Manufacturers Association (NAIMA); Cellulose Insulation Manufacturers Association (CIMA); Structural Insulated Panel Association (SIPA); Extruded Polystyrene Association (XPSA); the Insulation Contractors Association of America (ICAA); and Insulate for America and their respective member companies.

Michele Jones, NIA’s Executive Vice President/CEO, noted, “This unprecedented gathering of industry organizations will help promote our common goals and raise the profile of insulation and its ability to save energy, lower emissions, reduce costs, and grow the economy.”

This event will focus on 3 main policy areas of importance to the insulation industry:

• Resilient Buildings: Ensure infrastructure policies at the federal level support the construction of resilient buildings.
• Department of Energy Efficiency Programs: Support the modest, yet important, role the Department of Energy plays in promoting healthy, energy-efficient homes and workplaces.
• Immigration: Support federal immigration policies that promote a legal, foreign-born workforce for the construction industry.

White papers written in support of these policy objectives will be made available next week.

The forum will also include a panel presentation on commercial and industrial insulation markets that will be co-facilitated by NIA Consultant and Past President Ron King.

NIA’s leadership will use this opportunity to advocate for policy changes that can help alleviate issues in the industry and provide additional opportunities for growth.

 Insulation Advocate Past Issues

2017

• American Energy and Insulation (July 2017)

• Working with Partners on Capitol Hill (April and May 2017)

2016

• NIA Eager to Help Shape Nation’s Energy Future (October and November 2016)
• Insulation Advocate Update on September’s Activities: Department of Veterans Affairs to Start Insulation Assessments (September 2016)
• Congress Makes Progress on Energy Bills before Summer Recess (June and July 2016)
• Appropriations Bills Move Closer to Passage (May 2016)
• New Legislation to Include Insulation Language (April 2016)
• DOE Agrees to Conduct Insulation Study (March 2016)
• NIA Advocates for Insulation and Helps Member Prepare for Congressional Visit (January/February 2016)

2015

• Ending 2015 with a Strong Push for Insulation (December 2015)
• Senators Stand Up for Mechanical Insulation (November 2015)
• NIA Helps Bring First-Ever Insulation Trade Show to Its Members (October 2015)
• Autumn Outlook: Continued Push for Energy-Policy Packages (September 2015)
• NIA's Language Included in Proposed Energy Legislation (June and July 2015)
• Congress Moves Closer to Passing Comprehensive Energy Package (May 2015)
• Working Behind the Scenes on Capitol Hill (April 2015)
• Success in San Antonio (March 2015)
• Full Speed Ahead (January/February 2015)

2014

• NIA Successfully Includes Insulation Language in Appropriations Bill (December 2014)
• Making the Most of 2014 (October/November 2014)
• Moving the Industry Forward (September 2014)
• Building Strategies for the Fall (July 2014)
• Victory on Capitol Hill! (June 2014)
• Focusing on Education (May 2014)
• New Insulation Efforts Bolstered by Allies (March/April 2014)
• Triumph on Capitol Hill (January/February 2014)

2013

• Strength in Numbers (November/December 2013)
• Building from the Ground Up (October 2013)
• Soldiering Onward (September 2013)
• Insulation Gaining Respect on Capitol Hill (July 2013)
• Insulation is Featured Topic at Congressional Hearing (June 2013)
• Calling All NIA Members! (May 2013)
• NIA Leadership Advances Mechanical Insulation Agenda on Capitol Hill (April 2013)
• Temperatures Rising in D.C. (March 2013)
• Springing into Action with NIBS, the Navy, and NIA's Convention (February 2013)

2012

• New Congress, New Legislation (December 2012/January 2013)
• Post-Election Wrap-Up (November 2012)
• Advancements in Energy Efficiency Legislation and a Milestone for Mechanical Insulation (October 2012)
• A Season of Change (September 2012)
• Stepping Into The Bipartisan Spotlight (July 2012)
• Mechanical Insulation: Every Voice Counts (June 2012)
• Mechanical Insulation: Making Headlines (May 2012)
• April Showers Sprout Cautious Optimism (April 2012)
• Mechanical Insulation: Growing Awareness for Energy Savings (March 2012)
• Who Loves Mechanical Insulation? (February 2012)
• 2012: The Year of Mechanical Insulation? (January 2012)

2011

• Wrapping Up 2011 (December 2011)
• Reasons to Give Thanks (November 2011)
• Mechanical Insulation Showcased on Capitol Hill (October 2011)
• Mechanical Insulation ABCs: App, Bills, and Calculators (September 2011)
• Mother Nature Versus NIA (August 2011)
• Mechanical Insulation: The One Things Both Parties Can Agree On? (July 2011)
• Capitol Hill and Beyond: NIA's Summertime Strategy (June 2011)
• Riding the Energy Wave: Engaging Congress on Mechanical Insulation Priorities (May 2011)
• Friends of Mechanical Insulation: Gaining Support and Awareness for Our Legislative Priorities (April 2011)
• Tucson to Washington: NIA Members Join Together to Move the Needle on Mechanical Insulation (3-31-2011)
• Progress Through the Gridlock in Washington, DC (2-28-2011)
• Facing a New Environment in the New Year: Advancing Mechanical Insulation in Washington (1-31-2011)
• Looking Back, Moving Forward: Devising a Winning Strategy for Mechanical Insulation in 2011 (1-5-2011)

2010

• Mechanical Insulation and Mid-Term Elections: Working Through "Lame Duck," Looking Ahead to the 112th Congress (11-30-2010)
• Final Push for Mechanical Insulation in the 111th Congress (10-28-2010)
• Preparing for Success: Moving Forward on Mechanical Insulation Legislation (9-29-2010)
• Mechanical Insulation on the Move: NIA Reaches New Milestone with Introduction of S. 3716 (8-30-10)
• Urgent: Senate Bipartisan Mechanical Insulation Tax Bill Introduced (S. 3716) � Your Support Needed (8-16-2010)
• Democracy in Action: Mechanical Insulation Earns Key Recognition with Lawmakers (7-30-10)
• Mechanical Insulation: Small Investment, Big Rewards (6-29-10)
• Outreach and Education: Communicating the Importance of Mechanical Insulation (5-27-10)
• Every Member Counts: Building Momentum for Mechanical Insulation (4-23-10)
• March Madness for Mechanical Insulation (3-30-2010)
• Momentum for Mechanical Insulation (2-28-2010)
• A Collaborative Effort (1-28-2010)

2009

• Time for Action (12-15-2009)
• A Reason to Be Thankful (11-30-2009)
• Chalk One Up for Mechanical Insulation (10-29-2009)
• Important Steps in September (9-30-2009)
• Leaving No Stone Unturned (8-26-2009)
• Meeting Governors, A Legislative Success, and More (7-9-2009)
• (Climate) Change Is Upon Us (4-24-2009)
• A Strong Start on Capitol Hill (3-26-2009)
• NIA Launches Campaign for Federal Funding (3-10-2009)