Advocacy Update February 28, 2014

Spring Thaw?

The advocacy updates the last few months have been very weather focused, because it is no longer a topic for small talk. Just in case you were curious about the cities hardest hit by winter weather.

Congressional Ice Breaking

It seems members of Congress are in the mood to shed it's image as a do-nothing institution.

It has been a busy week on Capitol hill. After much anticipation and uncertainty Senators Shaheen and Portman reintroduced the Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act. The new bill incorporates a number of new elements of the bill intended to draw in additional support from the U.S. Senate to advance the measure. Many of the additions, including a move to incorporate energy efficiency into the underwriting and appraisal of mortgages, are positive. While others, such as changes to federal efficiency standards for buildings and federal review of green building systems, appear to be a mixed bag. USGBC is reviewing the updated bill and will update advocates with more information as the bill progresses towards floor consideration.

Ways and Means Chairman Dave Camp released a draft proposal on tax simplification this week to little fanfare from Congress or business. Consideration of the proposal this Congress appears dim.

Next week the House is set to consider the Better Buildings Act. The updated bill is expected to include some additional provisions related to the federal data center efficiency and energy transparency of federal buildings.

LEED heats things up in Ohio

After three weeks - totaling 7 hours - of opposition testimony from USGBC, Ohio chapter members, national business members, school administrators, and students, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee and subsequently passed SCR 25. The resolution calls into question the state's use of LEED and encourages Ohio agencies to discontinue using it for a green building rating system.

The resolution is now headed to the Ohio House. We will keep you updated on what you can do.

I also want to take this opportunity to thank all of the dedicated chapter members in Ohio that have put so much time and energy into defeating SCR 25. Even though we did not get the outcome we wanted in the Senate, this effort has brought the four chapters together and has built capacity for future advocacy efforts - hopefully on the pro-active side.

Housekeeping

KSE State Legislation Tracker

Please provide us for the point of contact for the person in your chapter that should receive and help you disseminate the state legislation tracker. Sign-up through this form.

State Advocacy Days

Please email me, Christina, dates for your advocacy day, if you have not already done so.

March Advocates Call
Date: March 17th
Time: 4-5pm ET
Link: https://usgbc.webex.com/usgbc/j.php?ED=224635977&UID=507270947&PW=NODdlZjEzNDEy&RT=MiMxMQ%3D%3D