In Focus
Election 2022:
Where Candidates for Congress Stand
Kentucky
1ST DISTRICT
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Jimmy Ausbrooks
Democratic
U.S. House, Kentucky 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?
The best way that Congress can help reduce the energy and water consumption of buildings to help make them more sustainable is they stop putting their party in front of the issue and the individuals that are most impacted. I know that answer is odd, but true. Our leadership has a responsibility to address issues and create legislation to secure solutions and currently the only thing being sustained is party politics.
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.
OTHER: Support educational opportunities especially in rural areas of Kentucky.
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?
I believe we need to educate everyone on the purpose, the necessity and benefits of healthy and sustainable buildings to all Americans, so they have a better understanding and we will have a more effective transition we individuals take ownership in what they are doing verses being told what they are going to do. We tend to invest more when we see the benefits, we feel empowered, and included in the process. I would also request grants, loans, and community engagement opportunities that may share the cost and therefore lessen the cost.
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 will support legislation that expands training and educational opportunities, especially in rural areas of the country like Kentucky. I think we have to bring to the table qualified individuals with knowledge, understanding, and willingness to listen, those individuals should be clean/renewable energy and fossil fuel industry leaders, in addition to congressional leaders. Creating this type of open lines of communication and engagement will initiate and maintain a transition that benefits everyone.
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 eager to engage with industry leaders, I know that having an clear understanding of the process, needs, and benefits are essential. I will welcome opportunities to engage and I will help foster the types of discussions necessary to secure the information that is needed is provided. engage industry leaders to help secure that our leadership has a genuine understanding, and I am committed that I will never make this a party issue.
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 do not have previous experience related to sustainable buildings in any manner, and that is why I know it is essential to have the engagement with industry leaders to obtain a clear understanding and I am confident that there are a number of other candidates and current congressional leaders that are not competent in this issue.
6TH DISTRICT
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Geoff Young
Democratic
U.S. House, Kentucky 6
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?
Shift money from the "Defense" budget and the USDOE's Office of Fossil Energy to the USDOE's Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy (EERE). I worked for Kentucky's state energy office for 13.5 years in Frankfort, and I worked with EERE every day.
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
OTHER: Invest in a high-speed rail system like China's. Get state utility regulatory agencies to require electric and gas utility companies to help implement items b, f & g above.
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?
I will work toward a less unequal distribution of income and wealth. I will propose tax reform bills that reduce taxes on low-income Americans and tax the super-rich more heavily. I will propose the elimination of the oil depletion allowance and all other federal subsidies to all energy technologies except energy efficiency and renewable energy.
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 will work to increase the power of unions and involve representatives of organized labor in drafting building-related legislations.
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 will do that by doing it.
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.)?
Yes. See my answer to question 1. I built two solar porches on previous residences.
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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.)