6th DISTRICT

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​Lore Bergman

Democratic

U.S. House, Tennessee 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?

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Solar with battery backup for energy usage, low flush and auto water shut offs for faucets, rain water reclaim and research into sustainable building products to name a few.

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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

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.

Other: Education on the value added by sustainable building

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?

Encourage better education and incentives offered by the government. In my experience, HUD buildings are some of the most unhealthy and unsustainable buildings in this country and that needs to change. As a disabled person, I have had to live in buildings that have made me more ill, because products and materials used are toxic and old air

systems and ventilation systems are not up to date and are filthy and impossible to clean!

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

Government incentives and grants for education and job training in these areas. We need to get back to teaching people the trades like plumbing, electric and construction. Many students are not made for computer science. They are much better working with

their hands, and we need to get back to training for those types of 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 will work with people like Bernie Sanders to make sure that new construction, especially for the disabled, elderly and poor are built with sustainability's and healthy nontoxic choices!

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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.)?

My experience is in making my home more energy efficient and exploring the cost, availability, and limitations of solar power, energy efficient appliances and heating/cooling systems. As a person with severe allergies and sensitivities to chemicals, I have researched a lot when it comes to paints, stains and flooring, etc. As a person who has renovated homes, I get very excited when new products come out that are non-toxic and sustainable!!