In Focus
Election 2024:
Where Candidates for Congress Stand
New Jersey
4th DISTRICT
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​Matt Jenkins
Democratic
U.S. House, New Jersey 4
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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Water is a big energy user. The Inflation Reduction Act is helping with grants and financial incentives for buildings to become more efficient. We need to keep this moving in the right direction and retrofit our buildings with more efficient plumbing and electricity. Where we are struggling is in our communities. We need to do more research on our local water supplies, making sure our water is safe to drink for every American.
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
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?
If elected, I will work in Congress to continue the IRA to invest in our infrastructure. It is vital that all of our public buildings be upgraded to survive in the future. This will require work, it will create jobs and it will help our communities, regardless of socioeconomic status. As we saw with the pandemic, air flow can enhance the spread of viruses. It is critical for Congress to invest in changing and upgrading our buildings, making them healthier, more efficient and employing the use of smart technologies.
4. IF ELECTED, WHAT STEPS WILL YOU TAKE TO TRAIN AND PREPARE PEOPLE FOR CLEAN ENERGY JOBS THAT ADVANCE SUSTAINABLE BUILDINGS AND BUILDING COMPONENTS?
As a proud Union supporter and growing up in a Union household, I saw firsthand the abilities and power of the Unions to train and retrain their members for jobs of the future. I truly believe this is where we are strongest and I will support the training and development of our labor force. We have an opportunity in New Jersey to create the new industry of wind energy. Our Unions are ready to do the work, it's politicians getting in the way and I support this growth and opportunity in my state.
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?
I am willing to work with the building sector to make sure that transforming buildings is part of the policy debate in Congress. I will join caucuses that advocate for sustainable building practices. I was proud of Congress when they enacted the Inflation Reduction Act and committed to working for better, more efficient buildings across the nation. This spending has helped many across the nation and will continue to do so. Our infrastructure needs an overhaul for the next generation and beyond.
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 General Contractor and homeowner I have replaced window, doors, and improved insulation. I have installed different types of more energy efficient roofing materials and HVAC systems.
9th DISTRICT
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​Billy Prempeh
Republican
U.S. House, New Jersey 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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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
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?
If elected, I will focus on making healthy and sustainable buildings accessible to all Americans, regardless of income.
I’ll support policies that encourage affordable housing developments to include energy-efficient and sustainable designs, lowering utility costs and creating healthier living spaces. Additionally, I will push for initiatives to renovate older buildings in low-income areas to improve air quality and reduce energy usage.
By working with local governments and private businesses, we can ensure that sustainable living is not just for the wealthy but available to everyone, while also creating jobs in this growing field.
4. IF ELECTED, WHAT STEPS WILL YOU TAKE TO TRAIN AND PREPARE PEOPLE FOR CLEAN ENERGY JOBS THAT ADVANCE SUSTAINABLE BUILDINGS AND BUILDING COMPONENTS?
If elected, I will prioritize training and preparing Americans for clean energy jobs, especially those connected to sustainable buildings and construction. Through my *Freedom of Education Plan*, I will advocate for incorporating job skills programs in high schools that focus on sustainable construction techniques and energy-efficient building technologies. These programs will partner with local businesses in industries like construction and manufacturing, ensuring that students gain hands-on experience in these growing fields before they graduate. This will create a workforce ready to meet the demands of clean energy and sustainable building jobs.
Additionally, through my *Revive America Plan*, I will push to bring high-paying jobs in sustainable industries, such as building renovation and energy-efficient construction, to inner-city areas. By revitalizing old factories and developing new projects, we can create opportunities for job growth in these communities while also promoting sustainable building practices.
These steps will not only prepare our workforce for the future but also ensure that economic growth and sustainable development go hand in hand.
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 am willing to work with the building sector to ensure that transforming buildings is a key part of the policy debate in Congress. I will collaborate with industry leaders to promote sustainable building practices and join caucuses that advocate for energy-efficient and healthy building designs. By aligning these efforts with my *Revive America Plan*, which focuses on revitalizing inner-city areas, we can create jobs, improve living conditions, and reduce energy costs. Working together, we can make sustainable building practices a priority in Congress and help foster a more efficient and greener future for all Americans.
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.)?
I am deeply committed to keeping our environment clean and believe that part of being conservative is conserving our natural resources.
I routinely volunteer my time to clean up local rivers, oceans, and parks because maintaining a healthy environment is essential for future generations.
While I may not have direct legislative experience with sustainable building policies, my dedication to environmental conservation is evident in my personal efforts.
I understand the importance of sustainability and energy efficiency in both public and private spaces. These efforts are in line with my broader commitment to improving communities and ensuring that we leave behind a cleaner, healthier environment.
In Congress, I will continue this commitment by supporting policies that promote both environmental responsibility and economic growth through sustainable building practices.
BuildingAction does not endorse candidates in primary or general elections. Nothing in this report should be construed as support or opposition to any candidate. Candidates and parties are listed alphabetically. BuildingAction made every effort to report on candidates’ positions accurately; any mistakes or omissions were inadvertent. Please email info@agoragov.com with any suggested corrections.)