Issues & AdvocacyFederal

Tell Your Senator to Oppose Efforts to Block 2030 Targets
By Christina Finkenhofer, Manager, Federal Relations

The Energy Independence and Security Act, signed into law in 2007 by President George W. Bush, contains a requirement for new federal buildings and retrofits totaling $2.5 million or more to reduce fossil-fuel generated energy consumption in scalable increments in the years leading up to 2030. According to Sec. 433, new federal buildings and large scale retrofits will be required to eliminate the use of fossil fuels entirely by 2030. The AIA supported this provision and has worked with the Department of Energy during its rulemaking process.

Last month, Congress proposed to significantly weaken or eliminate this provision, despite the rulemaking process being incomplete. We need your help to tell Congress that building and sustainability professionals are already succeeding in making federal facilities meet Sec. 433.

It is up to us to educate Congress on this important provision. Requiring significant energy reduction targets in new and renovated federal buildings demonstrates to the private sector that the federal government is leading by example. It is helping spur the development of new materials, construction techniques, and technologies to make buildings more energy efficient. And it is showing that significant energy reductions are both practical and cost-effective. Tell your Senators TODAY that this provision is important.

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