Green Building United approaches state and local policy efforts with an understanding that buildings are the primary driver of climate change in our region and by far the best opportunity to mitigate and to adapt to future climate impacts.
Through policy and advocacy, we offer policymakers a path to decarbonization through policy actions that strengthens our communities and ensures vibrancy well into the future. The backbone of this work is done by our Policy and Advocacy Committee. Meeting monthly, the Committee hears from key lawmakers, analysts, and advocates; and is actively building a compendium of resources, shared expertise and testimony, and research, to best inform legislation, legislators, and programming.
Green Building United Policy & Advocacy Committee
This committee of diverse professionals meets monthly to advocate for policy and legislation and to support implementation to advance a sustainable and healthy built environment.
Activities include:
- Educating elected officials and staff on green building priorities through in-district meetings and lobby days
- Serving on technical advisory committees on behalf of the organization
- Providing testimony during committee hearings
- Reviewing and providing feedback on legislation and regulations
- Signing and circulating letters of support for legislation
- Assisting with creating educational materials and events
- Sharing policy updates and engagement opportunities with networks
The committee meets on the first Thursday of each month from 8:30-9:30am.
Policy & Advocacy Committee Volunteers
Committee Chairs: Jo Dean and Emma Raymont
Sherman Aronson | Will Agate | Jeremy Avellino | Scott Compton | Amy Cornelius | Sonia Dattaray | Alex DeNadai | Bob Ellis | Kit Elsworth | Bradley Gay | Don Haas | Elizabeth Hahn | Mike Heaney | David Hincher | Michelle Jordan | Michael Jouaneh | David Lemons | Justin Lyon | Ariella Maron | Uma Pattarkine | Meenal Raval | Daeen Salam | Christian Saveoz | Maddy Schuh | Brian Smiley | Kristen Suzda | Bahareh van Boekhold | Natalie Walker | Jennifer Wampler | Emily Wei
What did we accomplish in 2022?
- GBU staff built and strengthened relationships with leaders throughout City government, including new staff at Philadelphia’s Office of Sustainability and new members of Philadelphia City Council.
- Participated in the steering committee for a new housing program launched by the City’s Department of Housing and Community Development aimed at rehabbing rental housing, including the incorporation of energy efficiency features.
- Supported the formation and development of the Housing, Equity, Retrofit, and Electrification for Climate Justice (HERE4CJ) coalition.
- GBU’s Policy and Advocacy Committee convened to draft a policy agenda to help educate mayoral and City Council candidates on the benefits of a green building platform ahead of the 2023 city election.
What are we working on in 2023?
- Ensuring our members are educated and prepared to comply (building owners/managers) and perform tune-ups (CEMs and PEs) with the Building Energy Performance Policy.
- Engage newly-elected City Councilors and Mayor on our Building Decarbonization policy platform which includes:
- Recommiting to the goals and policies that take meaningful and urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts like a citywide benchmarking performance standard for buildings.
- Creating economic opportunities through the design, construction, and retrofitting of Philadelphia’s built environment for all Philadelphians, regardless of gender, race, age, or background.
- Building climate safety and resilience by working with stakeholders to invest in resilient homes, infrastructure, and communities.
What did we accomplish in 2022?
- GBU joined with environmental and other advocacy groups to support the passage of the Whole Home-Repair Program, a bipartisan initiative to fund the repair of homes throughout Pennsylvania.
- In 2022, the team met with stakeholders across Pennsylvania to begin planning for how the new gubanatorial Shapiro Administration can best leverage new federal funding to achieve state and local climate goals
- Promoted the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s new electrification programs, including a series on electrification and cooking.
What are we working on in 2023?
- Enable community solar for deployment in Pennsylvania
- Plan a Pennsylvania Lobby Day for GBU members to engage elected officials on timely policy priorities such as:
- Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI)
- Natual gas preemption bills
- Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards
- High Performance Building Incentives
- Strengthening PHFA’s QAP for Passive House
What did we accomplish in 2021?
- Completed a pilot study on the feasibility of a statewide energy benchmarking program that includes lessons learned from providing technical assistance with benchmarking services for numerous commercial buildings in the state.
- Testified in support of solar-ready legislation in New Castle County so all new warehouses are equipped to use renewable energy to power their operations.
- Hired a new GBU Delaware Program Manager for the first time, enabling more on-the-ground relationship building in the state.
What are we working on in 2023?
- Provide written comment and public testimony on the adoption of 2021 IECC code so all new buildings are increasingly energy efficient.
- Passage of new climate-related legislation that establishes target net-zero emission reduction goals by 2050.
- Provide techincal support and assistance in the expansion of Delaware’s Energy Office.