In Focus
Election 2022:
Where Candidates for Congress Stand
Florida
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1ST DISTRICT
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Rebekah Jones
Democratic
U.S. House, Florida 1
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?
A combination of active and passive heating/cooling systems, green infrastructure incentives (like solar, rainwater retention/recycling, rooftop gardens, etc). Invest in research to develop new ways of conserving and reusing energy and water. I worked at the Syracuse Center of Excellence - a LEED certified building and home to research on this topic. Looking at the list below, these are all viable options.
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
g. Invest in the retrofitting of schools, community centers, libraries and other civic buildings to improve occupant safety and reduce energy consumption, especially in underserved communities
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?
Build community spaces, provide solar panels to low-income and working class homeowners for free or at greatly reduced cost, preserve natural spaces and restore vacant lots to natural spaces for small gardens.
4. IF ELECTED, WHAT STEPS WILL YOU TAKE TO TRAIN AND PREPARE PEOPLE FOR CLEAN ENERGY JOBS THAT ADVANCE SUSTAINABLE BUILDINGS AND BUILDING COMPONENTS?
I can't personally train people for clean energy jobs, but I certainly could provide the funding for training programs during the transition!
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?
Yes, though my concern primarily is to make sure these laws and incentives are passed, not to pander to construction companies and lobbyists. I'm a climate scientist by education I know the urgency of the moment and will make the protection of people and communities the priority over business and profit.
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 worked at the Center of Excellence in Energy and Environmental Systems at Syracuse University my senior year of college, worked for the Clean Cities Coalition during my Master's of Science degree at LSU in Baton Rouge, and have extensive knowledge and experience in an array of alternative energies, novel approaches to green infrastructure, stormwater management, wastewater management, the works.
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3RD DISTRICT
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Danielle Hawk
Democratic
U.S. House, Florida 3
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?
Congress can assist with reducing our buildings’ energy and water consumption by requiring comprehensive standards for our utilities. In particular, Congress should require buildings under federal jurisdiction to install proper insulation, invest in replacing antiquated water delivery systems, and support initiatives to place solar panels on our rooftops.
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
g. Invest in the retrofitting of schools, community centers, libraries and other civic buildings to improve occupant safety and reduce energy consumption, especially in underserved communities
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?
As the next Congresswoman from Florida’s 3rd District, I will work to ensure that all Americans are able to benefit from healthy and sustainable buildings by supporting investing federal resources in our underserved communities, incentivizing municipalities to construct affordable and energy efficient housing, and providing low-income Americans with direct support for upgrading their homes.
4. IF ELECTED, WHAT STEPS WILL YOU TAKE TO TRAIN AND PREPARE PEOPLE FOR CLEAN ENERGY JOBS THAT ADVANCE SUSTAINABLE BUILDINGS AND BUILDING COMPONENTS?
In Congress, I will support efforts to educate our workforce to perform jobs within the clean energy sector to ensure that no one is left behind by the transition to renewable energy. I am strongly committed to investing in a just transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy, because the cause of protecting our planet must always serve to unify us.
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?
Yes, I am certainly interested in working with the building sector to advance sound policy and would absolutely consider joining caucuses advocating for sustainable buildings.
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.)?
Unfortunately, I do not have any of the prior experiences listed, but I am adamantly dedicated to advancing common-sense energy policies that upgrade American buildings to combat the climate crisis, take advantage of modern technology, and invest in our collective future.
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BuildingAction does not endorse candidates in primary or general elections. Nothing in this report should be construed as support or opposition to any candidate. Candidates and parties are listed alphabetically. BuildingAction made every effort to report on candidates’ positions accurately; any mistakes or omissions were inadvertent. Please email info@agoragov.com with any suggested corrections.)