Lobbying on Capital Hill.
I just wrapped up two long days of lobbying, networking, building-science geeky conversations, celebration, and positive thinking in Washington DC. It was truly an amazing experience and CHP is grateful for the inspiring and very efficient leadership of Efficiency First. (http://www.efficiencyfirst.org/about/). Cozy Home Performance is a proud member of Efficiency First and will continue to be involved with federal and state initiatives lead by EF.
We spent the past two days lobbying to pass REEP, a component of the Waxman-Markey, (and Boxer-Kerry) Climate Bills. REEP (Retrofit for Environmental and Efficiency Performance) has its own supported bill in the House ready to be ushered through Congress if the Senate gafs on the Climate Bill. At this point we are still supporting the Climate Bill and hope that waverers get it that this is a major solution to many challenges our country is facing: climate, jobs, energy use, declining property values, and in general the need to transition to a green economy.
Most everyone we met with representing members of Congress supports the bill that will provide incentives for building efficiency upgrades with high standards and oversite. The REEP bill will created a level playing- giving states the responsibility to implement incentive programs, but with a consistent structure nation wide. This consistency will enable the Home Performance Industry to implement business models that are scalable. New jobs resulting from industry growth was the focus of the majority of our conversations on the Hill. We told our stories of growth and vision for the future.
In MA, the REEP incentives are very necessary. The existing utiltiy efficiency programs are not structured to support the Home Performance industry. In essence we are in competition. Federal incentives to leverage would open up the market and many more companies would be providing efficiency services in our region.
Over the past two days my group met with:
Rep. Van Hollen (D-MD), Rep. Rush Holt (NJ), Chairman Markey. Sen Menendez (NJ), Sen. Specter (R-PA), Sen. Gillibrand (NY), Sen. Kerry (MA), Sen. Murkowski (R-AK), Sen. Collins (R-ME), Sen Mikulski (D-MD)
These meetings were just the lineup for one group of three representing Efficiency First on Capital Hill. We did well in solidifying support, conveying the importance and practicality of employing ‘efficiency first’.
Many Senators on both sides of the isle need motivation to pass the Waxman-Markey (or Boxer-Kerry) Climate bill. The Oil lobby has dropped buckets of cash on overturning the Climate Bills in question- anyone who considers themselves a supporter of the environment, proponent of Green jobs, and advocates for a clean energy future- needs to act now to remind Congress how important the Climate Bill is.
The Home Performance Contracting industry is growing. The job creation estimates for teh REEP bill stands at 1.25 million new jobs (8million indirect supported jobs). We stand strong as a positive story that is transcending party lines; indeed a rarity in this economy.
