User:Edward Cornell/Building Performance Institute

The Building Performance Institute (BPI) is an independent non-profit organization based in Malta, NY dedicated towards technical standards for home performance and weatherization retrofit work recognized across North America.

BPI develops technical standards and awards certification of personnel in the home improvement industry to conduct home energy efficiency audits and licenses contractors accreditation to conduct home energy audits and make retrofit efficiency improvements.

History
BPI was first incorporated in New York in 1996 as an offshoot of the New York State Home Performance with Energy Star program as a third party accreditation institution for individuals and companies that wanted to be licensed in the field of home performance.

At the conclusion of 2009, BPI had 136 affiliates, 7,500 certifications among 4,846 individuals, and 380 accredited contractors. BPI certifications are currently active in 48 states.

Current Legislation Impacting BPI
Legislation (S.3177) was introduced in the U.S. Senate in March of 2010, and the U.S. House of Representatives on April 14th, 2010 pertaining to the Home Star Energy Program. These particular pieces of legislation offer government incentives to contractors licensed by BPI or the Residential Energy Services Network to complete home energy efficiency upgrades.