In Focus
Election 2024:
Where Candidates for Congress Stand
Missouri
1st DISTRICT
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​Wesley Bell
Democratic
U.S. House, Missouri 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?
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Continuing to pass legislation that incentivizes innovation through sustainable manufacturing. We are already making progress on projects for energy through portions of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill and Inflation Reduction Act, we can continue to create incentives, like the clean energy investment tax credit, for manufacturers to create buildings that are meeting energy and water consumption goals.
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 that old infrastructure is optimized is key so that no one, including rural areas, are left behind. We need to ensure that there is equitable investment opportunities for small businesses and not just big corporations.
4. IF ELECTED, WHAT STEPS WILL YOU TAKE TO TRAIN AND PREPARE PEOPLE FOR CLEAN ENERGY JOBS THAT ADVANCE SUSTAINABLE BUILDINGS AND BUILDING COMPONENTS?
Being an elected official means constantly being held accountable by the public, so it is up to us to relay the gains that we are seeing being made, and how that serves as an opportunity for our district to be able to benefit alongside other Americans. Missouri's 1st congressional district has an undervalued workforce that is ready to be turned into a powerhouse of labor.
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 ready to work diligently to serve the people of my district and making my positions clear to them on the best measures we can take to improve the lives of our constituents. Regardless of committee, or caucus, my district will always have a leader fighting for them.
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.)?
As an elected official, I have used the platform I have been given to always sing the praises of the work being done to move our country forward. As a candidate, I have pointed to legislation like the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill and Inflation Reduction Act as examples of what we can do to improve the lives of Missourians.
3RD DISTRICT
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​Bethany Mann
Democratic
U.S. House, Missouri 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?
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I think that Congress can do a lot to help reduce the energy and water consumption of buildings to make them more sustainable. I support the initiatives and sustainable policies listed below, especially investments in retrofitting schools and older homes that desperately need updates. I am an environmental chemist who specializes in technology, so I believe that updating technology to monitor air and water can help improve our environment and improve public health outcomes.
2. WHICH SUSTAINABLE BUILDING POLICIES DO YOU SUPPORT AND WOULD WORK TO ENACT IF ELECTED?
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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?
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I believe in fair and equitable funding for projects that benefit healthy and sustainable building. My constituency includes many rural areas of Missouri, so I will advocate for resources that will specifically help remediate older building and job sites in rural parts of our country as well as tribal lands. Everyone has a right to clean air and water, so our policies and incentives should align with those values.
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4. IF ELECTED, WHAT STEPS WILL YOU TAKE TO TRAIN AND PREPARE PEOPLE FOR CLEAN ENERGY JOBS THAT ADVANCE SUSTAINABLE BUILDINGS AND BUILDING COMPONENTS?
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I believe that the Climate Corp is a good start to recruit and train citizens. I believe in developing a jobs program specifically for improving water infrastructure using union apprenticeship programs to build a new work force prepared to modernize our outdated water infrastructure. I believe that communities would also benefit from a hazardous response team with mobile testing laboratories to serve construction projects, public health emergencies, water and air quality emergencies. I know that removing carpets and other materials that have used forever chemicals must be a priority, particularly in areas where there have been increased rates of cancer.
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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?
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Yes. I am willing to work with the building sector and advocate for sustainable building policies. I am open to attending meetings and conferences, as well as educating myself and my staff on ways that we can lead on these initiatives.
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.)?
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I do not have any previous experience related to sustainable buildings. As an environmental chemist with experience in agriculture, manufacturing, water and energy infrastructure, sustainable building practices align with my core values. I actively promote clean energy and green energy improvement. Professionally, I have been involved in several Six Sigma projects to reduce waste and emissions in manufacturing. I also work with water treatment corporations, municipalities, federal agencies, and energy co-ops across Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, and parts of Illinois.
​Jordan Rowden
Libertarian
U.S. House, Missouri 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?
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Congress shouldn’t interfere in the free markets
2. WHICH SUSTAINABLE BUILDING POLICIES DO YOU SUPPORT AND WOULD WORK TO ENACT IF ELECTED?
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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 allow the free markets to function without government interference which will make prices dependent on supply and demand. If their is a desire for this type of housing the market will provide one
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 allow the free markets to function without government interference
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?
No
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.)?
Energy efficient window sales
4th DISTRICT
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​Jeanette Cass
Democratic
U.S. House, Missouri 4
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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Through tax policy. Increasing tax credits and deductions for efficiency.
2. WHICH SUSTAINABLE BUILDING POLICIES DO YOU SUPPORT AND WOULD WORK TO ENACT IF ELECTED?
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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
Other: Pushing building rooftop and parking lot solar coverage.
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?
Tax benefits, use funds created these issues that have gone unspent under current leadership in this district, discuss with my constitutions and businesses the benefits of healthy sustainable buildings .
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 would work with Unions, community colleges, locally elected officials for educational programs for these critical skilled trades.
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. As a current Union member I understand the importance of labor and business as they work together. I will actively seek out caucuses that support those values.
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.)?
This is my first campaign following my retirement from a government agency, so I have been unable to work with any legislation without violating the Hatch Act. I have remodeled two homes seeking to create a more sustainable living experience.
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.)