7TH DISTRICT

​

Tom Malinowski (Incumbent)

Democratic

U.S. House, New Jersey 7

 

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 has recently made one of the largest investments in clean energy and making our infrastructure more resilient for the next generation - passing the Inflation Reduction Act and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (“IIJA” or the Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal). Despite these critical investments in wastewater and clean water infrastructure, electrification technologies (hydropower, solar panels, wind turbines) it is clear more needs to be done.

 

That is why I believe Congress needs to continue to invest in clean electricity tax credits - from consumers to small businesses - in addition for new clean energy developers.

 

 

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

 

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

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?

 

I am proud to have voted for key legislation that has invested in energy efficient technologies, incentives for consumers to invest in clean energy, and has enabled our country to meet its climate goals.

That is why I am proud to have voted in support of the Inflation Reduction Act which will, among other things, provide consumers with credits/ rebates for solar panels and home efficiency improvements.

 

If elected, I will advocate for provisions that were left behind in the Inflation Reduction Act, but included in the House passed Build Back Better Act, including: advancing environmental justice that will fund critical community capacity buildings and delivering grants to environmental justice communities to invest in affordable, clean energy 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?

 

By passing the Inflation Reduction Act, Congress has successfully created 9 million clean energy jobs. With the investments made in clean energy and climate smart technologies, communities and workers now have the opportunity to seize economic prosperity as well as take part in a clean energy future.

 

That is why I will continue to push for investments that will benefit underserved communities in my district which will provide an economic incentive to create good, union paying clean energy jobs.

 

 

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 believe that any discussion on how to combat climate change must include how we can invest in clean energy - which includes providing incentives that makes it easier for communities to invest in climate-smart technologies. That is why I will be vocal in advocating for additional tax/ rebate incentives for my small and rural communities to transition towards a clean energy future - including transportation, climate-smart agriculture, and expanded building electrification programs.

 

 

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 - IRA, IIJA, BBB