9TH DISTRICT

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​Quacy Smith

Democratic

U.S. House, Arizona 9

 

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 support sustainability policies which involve an approach that values environmental protection, economic considerations, and practical solutions. I support well-crafted regulations to address environmental concerns, like over-use of energy and water. I support a realistic transition to cleaner energy sources, recognizing the role of traditional energy sources in the short term while investing in renewable and low-carbon energy alternatives. I support investment in research and development of green technologies, including renewable energy sources and energy efficiency technologies. Passage of the Infrastructure Act has provided billions of dollars which can be used for incentives and rebates, to assist both builders of new buildings, but also to retrofit existing buildings, including homes, to be more energy and water efficient. Congress should expand tax credits for retrofitting homes and buildings to make these affordable, particularly to low-income communities. Congress can set performance targets for efficiency programs to increase accountability to local citizens and municipalities, and fund programs supporting use of energy and water efficient appliances and products. Congress should invest in expanding and increasing the strength and dependability of the electrical grid, to include use of renewable energy options. Congress can advance legislation to ensure important technology is utilized to transform and retrofit Federal buildings to be more energy and water efficient, and to serve as a model for communities. Congress should further fund research into strategies for how communities can better conserve and reuse water.

 

 

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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It is critical that every American who spends much of the day inside a building – students, healthcare workers, manufacturing employees, office workers, justice system employees, law enforcement – have access to environmentally safe buildings. As a Congressman, my priority will be to fight for the interests of these everyday Americans and their right to live and work in buildings that are safe, have adequate energy access, and access to adequate clean water. This is especially important in areas of low socioeconomic status, as these have been traditionally overlooked, and may need more resources to retrofit, and otherwise bring their buildings up to an efficient and sustainable level.

 

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 strongly support investments in education and workforce development. I will work for and support congressional initiatives to fund education and training for individuals, especially for under-served and vulnerable communities, where individuals have often been denied access to jobs and training. Apprenticeship programs should be strengthened in every community, and particularly in communities with high unemployment rates. I believe that our policies must stress the importance of engaging local communities in environmental initiatives Congress should use the $200 million in the IRA to educate and train contractors and workers in techniques for installation and maintenance of energy efficient equipment and improvements.

 

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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I will definitely work with the building sector. I believe policies must stress the importance of engaging local communities, including the building sector, in environmental initiatives. I will rely on the experience and expertise of the building sector in supporting and crafting legislation to meet the goals of energy efficiency and appropriate use of water resources in our community’s buildings.

 

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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Yes, in both Arizona and Colorado, on a couple of commercial builidings that I leased at the time, we upgraded the air-conditioning system to make sure that they were compliant with putting solar and replacing electric panels. We made sure that the emissions from the heating systems were filtered and upgraded the electric sockets in the office.

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