Green Building United (GBU) advocates for state and local policies that accelerate the transition to a sustainable, healthy, and resilient environment for all, prioritizing initiatives that make for healthier indoor spaces by reducing emissions, more affordable buildings by lowering operating costs, and improving community resilience. Our goal is to impact legislation that helps our region to mitigate and adapt to future climate impacts.
The backbone of this work is done by Green Building United’s Policy and Advocacy Committee. Made up of GBU members and supporters representing a wide breadth of expertise, the P&A Committee meets both in-person and virtually throughout the year. The Committee is actively building a compendium of research, resources, shared expertise, and testimony to best inform legislation, legislators, and programming.
Green Building United Policy & Advocacy Committee
This diverse group of volunteers meets to advocate for policies & legislation and to support actions that advance a sustainable and healthy built environment for all.
Activities include:
- Educating elected officials and staff on sustainability and resiliency priorities through in-district meetings and lobby days.
- Serving on technical advisory committees on behalf of the organization.
- Providing expert 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.
- Providing educational opportunities for committee members and GBU members on relevant policy topics.
Policy & Advocacy Committee Chairs:
Jo Dean and Emma Raymont
2026 Schedule:
| Date | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|
| February 5 | 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM | In-person |
| March 5 | 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM | Zoom |
| April 2 | 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM | Zoom |
| May 7 | Coffee Chat, Building Codes 101 | Zoom |
| June 4 | 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM | In-person |
| July 2 | Cancelled | Cancelled |
| August 6 | 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM | Zoom |
| September 3 | 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM | In-person |
| October 1 | 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM | Zoom |
| November 5 | 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM | Zoom |
| December 3 | 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM | Zoom |
What did we accomplish in 2025?
- Strengthened Government Relationships: Built and deepened connections with Mayor Parker’s administration and Philadelphia City Council members and staff.
- Secured Key Funding: Successfully advocated for funding for the Philadelphia Energy Authority and the Built to Last program.
- Advanced Housing Equity: Helped secure resources to support the Housing Equity, Repair, and Electrification for Climate Justice (HERE4CJ) coalition.
- Organized Advocacy Day: Led an advocacy day at City Council featuring a legislative briefing and meetings with eight Council members.
- Promoted Energy Code Adoption: Participated in Energy Code Stakeholder meetings with the Mayor’s office to advance full adoption of the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code for residential buildings.
- Shaped Future Policy Priorities: Hosted a Policy Retreat with committee members to define 2026 priorities and refine committee structure.
- Educated and Engaged the Community: Delivered multiple Coffee Chats—both virtual and in-person—including Just a Bill: How Policy Gets Made in PA and Philly and Data Centers 101.
What are we working on in 2026?
- Adopt and Implement Building Performance Standards (BPS) in Philadelphia.
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- Support Technical Assistance for building owners to ensure equitable compliance.
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- Invest in Workforce Development to grow local expertise in energy efficiency, electrification, and building retrofits.
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- Align BPS with climate action plans, utility programs, and decarbonization goals.
- Adopt the 2021 Residential International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) to include residential insulation requirements.
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- Strengthen Code Compliance and Enforcement through training, funding, and coordination with relevant city departments.
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- Promote Stretch Codes and Voluntary Standards to encourage leadership in energy efficiency and cost-savings.
What did we accomplish in 2025?
- Strengthened Legislative Relationships: Built and deepened connections with Pennsylvania legislators and their staff.
- Collaborated with Advocacy Partners: Fostered relationships with statewide advocacy organizations to advance shared goals.
- Supported Aligned Initiatives: Signed on to more than a dozen letters backing efforts consistent with our mission.
- Engaged in Statewide Coalitions: Participated in multiple stakeholder groups, coalitions, and subcommittees to share resources and coordinate advocacy strategies.
- Advanced Municipal Benchmarking: Partnered with DVRPC to support Pennsylvania municipalities exploring benchmarking programs.
What are we working on in 2026?
- Data Centers: Best Practices and Common-Sense Guardrails
- Work with advocacy partners to create best practices to be shared with state legislators.
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- Facilitate educational programing to provide additional information on data centers to GBU members and Pennsylvania residents.
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- Work with legislators in the GBU region to advocate for data center legislation that prioritizes energy efficiency and consumer protections.
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- Support and advocate for proposed legislation that aligns with GBU’s mission.
- Support and advocate for the passage of legislation in line with GBU’s mission and vision. This includes, but is not limited to, the following bills that are currently before the state legislature:
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- PA Home Preservation Program: SB 876
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- Pennsylvania Reliable Energy Sustainability Standard (PRESS): HB 501
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- Pennsylvania Climate Emission Reduction (PACER): HB 503
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- Act 129 Reforms: HB 505
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- Community Energy: HB 504
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- Data Centers and Prevailing Wage: HB 2061
What did we accomplish in 2025?
- Strengthened Legislative Relationships: Built and deepened connections with Delaware legislators and their staff.
- Collaborated with Advocacy Partners: Fostered relationships with Delaware-based advocacy organizations to advance shared priorities.
- Engaged in Advocacy Day: Joined the Delaware Sierra Club for an advocacy day alongside committee members.
- Supported Energy Code Adoption: Testified in favor of adopting the 2024 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC).
- Endorsed Aligned Initiatives: Signed on to multiple letters supporting efforts consistent with our mission.
- Participated in Statewide Coalitions: Engaged in stakeholder groups, coalitions, and subcommittees to share resources and coordinate advocacy strategies.
What are we working on in 2026?
- Data Centers: Best Practices and Common-Sense Guardrails
-
- Work with advocacy partners to create best practices to be shared with state legislators.
-
- Facilitate educational programing to provide additional information on data centers to GBU members and Delaware residents.
-
- Work with legislators in the GBU region to advocate for data center legislation that prioritizes energy efficiency and consumer protections.
-
- Support and advocate for proposed legislation that aligns with GBU’s
mission.
- Adopt the 2024 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC)
-
- Strengthen Code Compliance and Enforcement through training, funding, and coordination with relevant city departments.
- Promote Stretch Codes and Voluntary Standards to encourage leadership in energy efficiency and cost-savings.
- Support and advocate for the passage of legislation in line with GBU’s mission and vision. This includes, but is not limited to, the following bills that are currently before the state legislature:
What did we accomplish in 2025?
- Built National Partnerships: Established relationships with members of the Climate Action Campaign (CAC).
- Collaborated on Advocacy Initiatives: Attended CAC working groups and meetings to share resources, exchange information, and coordinate advocacy efforts.
- Endorsed Aligned Efforts: Signed on to multiple letters supporting initiatives consistent with our mission.
What are we working on in 2026?
- Continue to expand GBU’s federal advocacy work, connecting with our federal representatives and identifying additional national advocacy organizations to partner with.
In 2026, GBU continues to expand its leadership in building decarbonization, climate resilience, equitable implementation, and evidence-based policy. Through collaboration with government, community partners, and industry leaders, we are committed to accelerating a healthy, efficient, and sustainable built environment across the region.