2ND DISTRICT

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Dan Matthews

Republican

U.S. House, Washington 2

 

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?

 

I fully agree with your recommendations:

Federal policymakers can make a positive impact on America’s building stock in numerous ways:

• Providing tax incentives and grants for building owners to reduce initial costs of sustainability measures

• Funding research into sustainable building design and technology.

• Sponsoring voluntary ratings systems like the EnergySTAR program

• Helping lower-income Americans save on energy costs through initiatives like the Weatherization Program

• Providing funding, incentives, and technical support for state and local government energy programs.

 

 

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: Incentives to states and local government to quickly implement recommendations from DOE and other federal agencies.

 

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 concur in your observations:

Bipartisan legislation introduced in Congress in 2020 (The HOPE for HOMES Act) would create rebates for homeowners to invest in energy efficiency improvements, including insulation, HVAC system upgrades and others; and would provide grants to train contractors in making energy efficiency improvements.

Helping lower-income Americans save on energy costs through initiatives like the Weatherization Program

We need to see that this is passed in the next Congress.

 

 

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 fully agree:

Preparing people for jobs in sustainable building has the twin benefits of increasing economic opportunity and making dramatic improvements to America's building stock to In particular, supporting and strengthening apprenticeship programs in every community—especially in under-served communities with higher unemployment rates– will fuel the building sector with the skilled workers needed to build, retrofit, and operate the buildings of tomorrow.

At a time when we’re facing higher unemployment due to the pandemic, as well as a climate crisis, this is the ideal time to help workers train for jobs in clean energy—and help workers in traditional energy jobs for careers in clean energy.

Providing both STEM and other job training and incentives should be one commitment Congress must make. Internships and other on-the-job training will help implement this goal. Tax incentives to businesses to provide Internships and other on-the-job training will help implement this goal.

 

 

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. Through leadership and cooperative bi-partisan efforts.  I intend to bring a "Change of Climate" to Washington, D.C. through cooperation, civility, dignity, and statesmanship that addresses the challenges we face as a nation without the rancor, polarization, demonization, discord, and division marking the current atmosphere.  I stand against politics as usual and will ask for mutual respect and commitment to service and success.  I will pursue these goals with Integrity and honor – and without distinction of Party.  I will ask for and pursue an environment free from the Conflicts of Interest, Power, and Money currently corrupting Capitol Hill.

 

 

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.)?

 

In our own home and in our Church retrofitting, I have been committed to improving the energy efficiency and footprint in my areas of influence.

As a School Board member, I encouraged and approved of efforts for sustainability and state-of-the-art improvements and design for the school facilities in our District.

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