1ST DISTRICT

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Ashley Ehasz

Democratic

U.S. House, Pennsylvania 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 United States is in desperate need of more housing and commercial buildings. Nearly every trade association in the industry agrees that we are dangerously under capacity, and this provides a great opportunity to accelerate the use of more sustainable building techniques that reduce the carbon footprint of new construction and reduce energy consumption. This will both help the United States reach its critical climate goals, and ultimately reduce costs for consumers. Congress must provide effective tax incentives for new construction that are predicated on employing technologies and techniques that reduce energy and water consumption. For existing structures, we must expand upon the successful water and energy modernization grants contained within the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and continue to provide the means to property owners and municipalities to modernize their water and grid systems to reduce energy and water consumption.

 

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?

 

In Congress, I would fight to ensure that grants and tax incentives would be distributed equitably, ensuring that communities that are most suffering from pollution and other externalities receive the necessary support to improve their air and water quality. 

 

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

 

The climate crisis presents an incredible opportunity to foster new economic growth here in Pennsylvania and across the country. Green energy jobs can be incentivized through partnerships between federal, state, and local governments. As a representative, I will push to end our reliance on fossil fuels, to include our military’s reliance upon them, and fight for increased protections for our water, land, and air. I will also advocate for more federal funds to be allocated to researching new technologies that can solve the challenges posed by climate change, and push for those dollars to return to communities like mine that have significant expertise in energy systems, and house world-class research institutions that can tackle the crisis.

 

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 gladly meet with your members and listen to their expertise as we consider legislation. 

 

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 a soldier, I did not have specific experience with sustainable building advocacy. However, as a commander, I was acutely aware of the need to conserve resources on the battlefield, and my experience informs my thinking regarding transitioning our military towards more sustainable energy use policies, while maintaining readiness.