14th DISTRICT

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​Nathaniel Snyder

Independent

U.S. House, Florida 14

 

1.         WHAT ARE THE BEST WAYS THAT CONGRESS CAN HELP TO REDUCE THE ENERGY AND WATER CONSUMPTION OF BUILDINGS TO HELP MAKE THEM MORE SUSTAINABLE?

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**Legislative Incentives**:

 

- **Tax Breaks for Efficiency**: Offer significant tax incentives for buildings that upgrade to energy-efficient systems or incorporate renewable energy sources like solar panels. This isn't just about new constructions but retrofitting existing structures.

- **Grants for Green Tech**: Establish federal grants for the development and implementation of green technology in buildings. Think about smart water systems, advanced insulation, or even 3D printing for construction that uses less material.

 

**Regulatory Framework**:

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- **Building Codes**: Congress should push for nationwide building codes that mandate energy efficiency and water conservation. This isn't about stifling innovation but setting a baseline for sustainability.

- **Performance Standards**: Instead of just focusing on how buildings are built, let's look at how they perform. Standards for energy consumption per square foot, water usage, and waste management could drive innovation.

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**Innovation and Education**:

 

- **R&D Funding**: Increase funding for research into sustainable building materials and technologies. If we're going to lead in sustainability, we need to lead in innovation.

- **Education Programs**: Support programs that educate builders, architects, and homeowners on sustainable practices. Knowledge is power, and in this case, it's green power.

 

**Market Mechanisms**:

 

- **Carbon Credits for Buildings**: Why not extend carbon credit systems to buildings? If a building goes beyond its efficiency targets, let it trade those credits. This could create a market incentive for sustainability.

- **Water Rights and Trading**: Similar to carbon, if buildings save water, they could have rights to sell or trade that saved water. This could revolutionize water management in drought-prone areas.

 

**Community and Local Engagement**:

 

- **Local Grants and Loans**: Encourage local governments with federal support to offer low-interest loans or grants for sustainability upgrades.

- **Public-Private Partnerships**: Let's get businesses involved. Tax incentives for companies that invest in or develop sustainable building technologies or practices.

 

**Accountability and Transparency**:

 

- **Audit Systems**: Require regular energy and water audits for commercial buildings, with the data made public. Transparency drives accountability.

- **Certification Programs**: Support and maybe even standardize national or federal certification for green buildings, not just for prestige but for tangible benefits like lower property taxes or faster permitting.

 

**The Snyder Approach**:

 

- **America First Sustainability**: It's about making America the leader in sustainable building practices, not just for the environment but for economic growth. Jobs in green tech, manufacturing, and construction.

- **Practical, Not Just Political**: These solutions aren't about grandstanding on climate change; they're about practical steps that save money, create jobs, and protect our environment.

- **Engage, Don't Mandate**: While some regulations are necessary, let's also engage the market. Let innovation and consumer choice drive sustainability, not just top-down mandates.

 

In essence, Congress can play a pivotal role by setting the stage for a sustainable building revolution through incentives, education, and smart regulation. This isn't just about saving resources; it's about building a future where America leads in sustainability, not just follows.

 

 

2. WHICH SUSTAINABLE BUILDING POLICIES DO YOU SUPPORT AND WOULD WORK TO ENACT IF ELECTED?

 

a. Set benchmarking requirements for commercial buildings and encourage cities and states to adopt performance-based standards for buildings

b. Provide rebates to homeowners who invest in energy efficiency improvements

c. Provide incentives to states and localities to adopt the most up-to-date energy building codes

d. Renew and expand tax incentives for energy efficient buildings

e. Require federal buildings to meet aggressive energy efficiency and carbon reduction targets

f. Provide support to states and localities to make buildings more resilient from natural hazards and disasters

h. Conduct research into the most promising technologies, products and materials that improve occupant health and reduce transmission of contagious disease while saving energy

i. Support programs or incentives to accelerate the electrification of buildings.

 

 

3.         IF ELECTED, WHAT STEPS WILL YOU TAKE TO ENSURE THAT ALL AMERICANS, REGARDLESS OF SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS, ARE ABLE TO BENEFIT FROM HEALTHY AND SUSTAINABLE BUILDINGS?

 

ensuring all Americans benefit from healthy and sustainable buildings isn't just about policy; it's about vision, innovation, and action. Here's how I'd tackle it:

 

**1. *Federal Incentives for Sustainable Building Practices***:

 

- **Tax Credits and Deductions**: I'd push for expanded tax incentives for individuals and businesses that adopt green building technologies, like solar panels, green roofs, or advanced water recycling systems. This isn't just for the wealthy; we're talking about making these technologies accessible through financial relief.

- **Grants for Retrofitting**: Establish federal grants for low-income housing to retrofit for sustainability. This means better insulation, energy-efficient windows, and smart home systems that reduce energy consumption without hiking costs.

 

**2. *Regulatory Reform and Building Codes***:

 

- **Nationwide Building Standards**: Advocate for updated building codes that mandate sustainability but are flexible enough for local adaptation. This ensures new constructions are inherently sustainable, but we also need:

- **Retrofit Requirements**: For older buildings, especially in low-income areas, introduce phased retrofit requirements with government support. This could be tied to property tax benefits or direct subsidies.

 

**3. *Education and Workforce Development***:

 

- **Training Programs**: Invest in vocational training for sustainable building practices. This creates jobs and ensures there's a skilled workforce ready to implement these changes.

- **Public Awareness Campaigns**: Educate the public on the benefits of sustainable living. If people understand the long-term savings and health benefits, demand will rise, pushing the market towards sustainability.

 

**4. *Public-Private Partnerships***:

 

- **Collaborative Projects**: Encourage partnerships where private companies invest in public housing sustainability projects in exchange for tax benefits or public recognition. This could revolutionize affordable housing.

- **Innovation Hubs**: Create centers where companies, universities, and local governments collaborate on sustainable building tech. This fosters innovation that can be scaled up nationally.

 

**5. *Community Empowerment***:

 

- **Local Control with Federal Support**: Empower communities to decide their sustainability paths with federal funds. This could mean community gardens, local energy grids, or sustainable waste management systems tailored to community needs.

- **Housing Co-ops**: Support the development of housing cooperatives where residents have a say in building sustainability features, fostering a sense of ownership and responsibility.

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**6. *Legislation for Accountability and Transparency***:

 

- **Green Building Audits**: Require regular audits for buildings, especially those receiving federal funds or tax breaks, ensuring they maintain sustainability standards.

- **Transparency in Funding**: Any federal funding for sustainability must be transparent, showing where money is spent and its impact. This builds trust and accountability

 

 

4.         IF ELECTED, WHAT STEPS WILL YOU TAKE TO TRAIN AND PREPARE PEOPLE FOR CLEAN ENERGY JOBS THAT ADVANCE SUSTAINABLE BUILDINGS AND BUILDING COMPONENTS?

 

if elected, here's how I'll tackle training and preparing our workforce for clean energy jobs, especially in sustainable buildings:

 

**1. *Workforce Development Programs***:

 

- **Partnerships with Educational Institutions**: We'll establish partnerships with community colleges, vocational schools, and universities to develop curricula focused on sustainable building practices. This includes everything from green construction techniques to advanced materials science.

- **Apprenticeships and On-the-Job Training**: Promote apprenticeship programs where workers can learn on-site. This hands-on experience is invaluable, reducing the learning curve for new technologies and methods in sustainable building.

 

**2. *Funding and Incentives***:

 

- **Grants for Training**: Allocate federal funds for training programs. This isn't just about creating jobs; it's about ensuring those jobs are filled by well-trained Americans.

- **Tax Incentives for Employers**: Encourage businesses to invest in training their workforce for green jobs by offering tax breaks or credits for every employee trained in sustainable practices.

 

**3. *Certification and Credentialing***:

 

- **National Standards**: Work towards national standards for certifications in clean energy and sustainable building practices. This ensures that skills are recognized across states, making our workforce more mobile and adaptable.

- **Support for Certification Programs**: Provide financial support or scholarships for workers to get certified in areas like solar installation, energy efficiency, or green building materials.

 

**4. *Community and Local Initiatives***:

 

- **Local Workforce Development**: Tailor programs to local needs. If a region is focusing on solar or wind, let's ensure local training reflects that.

- **Community Colleges as Hubs**: Turn community colleges into hubs for clean energy training, offering short courses, certifications, and continuous education for professionals looking to upskill.

 

**5. *Innovation and Technology Integration***:

 

- **Tech Integration**: Ensure training programs incorporate the latest technologies in sustainable building, like IoT for energy management, advanced insulation materials, or water recycling systems.

- **Innovation Labs**: Establish labs where new sustainable building technologies can be tested and where workers can get hands-on experience with cutting-edge equipment.

 

**6. *Public Awareness and Education***:

 

- **Campaigns for Clean Energy Careers**: Launch campaigns to educate the public, especially young people, about career opportunities in clean energy. Highlight the growth, the innovation, and the job security in this sector.

- **Workshops and Seminars**: Regular events where experts discuss the future of sustainable buildings, attracting both potential employees and employers.

 

 

5.         ARE YOU WILLING TO WORK WITH THE BUILDING SECTOR TO MAKE SURE THAT TRANSFORMING BUILDINGS IS PART OF THE POLICY DEBATE IN CONGRESS, INCLUDING JOINING CAUCUSES THAT ADVOCATE FOR SUSTAINABLE BUILDING POLICIES? IF YES, HOW WILL YOU DO THAT?

 

Absolutely, I'm all in for working with the building sector to push for sustainable policies in Congress. Here's how I'll approach it:

 

**Joining Caucuses**:

 

- **Active Participation**: I'll join and actively participate in caucuses like the Congressional Green Building Caucus or any new ones focused on sustainable building practices. Being part of these groups means we're not just talking; we're shaping policy.

- **Leadership**: If possible, I aim to take a leadership role or at least be a vocal advocate within these caucuses, pushing for legislation that benefits both the environment and the economy.

 

**Legislative Action**:

 

- **Bipartisan Bills**: I'll work across the aisle to introduce or support bills that incentivize sustainable building practices. This could mean tax incentives for green construction, grants for retrofitting old buildings, or easing regulations for adopting new sustainable technologies.

- **Regulatory Reform**: Advocate for updates in building codes that encourage sustainability without stifling innovation or increasing costs prohibitively for builders or homeowners.

 

**Engagement with the Sector**:

 

- **Roundtables and Workshops**: Regularly host or attend events where builders, architects, and tech innovators can discuss challenges and solutions. This isn't just about listening; it's about taking actionable insights back to Congress.

- **Public-Private Partnerships**: Encourage collaborations where private sector innovation meets public sector policy. This could lead to pilot projects showcasing sustainable building techniques that could be scaled up.

 

**Education and Advocacy**:

 

- **Public Awareness**: Use my platform to educate constituents on why sustainable buildings matter. From energy savings to health benefits, making the case for green buildings will be a priority.

- **Lobbying for Change**: Work with industry groups to lobby for policies that support sustainable building. This includes fighting against policies that might hinder progress, like overly restrictive zoning laws or outdated energy standards.

 

**Incentivizing Innovation**:

 

- **Funding for R&D**: Push for more federal funding into research for sustainable materials, construction methods, and energy solutions. Innovation in building isn't just good for the planet; it's good for jobs and economic growth.

- **Market Mechanisms**: Explore how carbon markets or similar mechanisms could benefit the building sector, rewarding those who go beyond the minimum in sustainability.

 

**Local to National**:

 

- **State and Local Collaboration**: Work with state and local governments to align policies. If Florida or any state can be a model for sustainable building, that success can be a blueprint for national policy.

- **National Standards**: While respecting federalism, push for national standards where they make sense, ensuring that sustainable building practices are consistent and beneficial across the country.

 

In essence, my approach is about being proactive, not reactive. By integrating myself deeply into the legislative and advocacy efforts for sustainable buildings, we're not just talking about change; we're making it happen. This isn't just policy; it's about building a future where America leads in sustainability, creating jobs, and ensuring a healthier environment for all.

 

 

6.         DO YOU HAVE ANY PREVIOUS EXPERIENCES RELATED TO SUSTAINABLE BUILDINGS (E.G., SUPPORTING LEGISLATION IN ELECTED OFFICE, MADE ENERGY EFFICIENCY IMPROVEMENTS TO A HOME, OFFICE, COMMUNITY-WIDE, ETC.)?

 

I’ve worked on construction projects making older homes energy efficient and some commercial projects.

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