Buildings consume 40% of primary energy and 70% of electricity in the United States annually. Additionally, the construction of buildings and their related infrastructure consume approximately 60% of all raw materials used in the U.S. economy. As such, it is imperative that we advance policies that improve the building sector, through pragmatic industry driven solutions. 

117th Congress Policy Priorities

The High Performance Buildings Coalition identified its top policy priorities for the 117th Congress. These priorities clearly lay out bipartisan solutions and specific, industry-supported steps that Congress and the Administration should take.

  • Build Back Better with High Performance Buildings

  • Save Taxpayer Dollars by Increasing Efficiency and Performance of Federal Buildings

  • Encourage High Performance Homes and Commercial Buildings

  • Leverage Tax Incentives and Provide Market Certainty

  • Support the Use of Voluntary Consensus Standards

Fiscal Year 2022 Appropriations Priorities

The High Performance Buildings Coalition encourages Congress to recognize the critical role buildings play in our nation’s infrastructure by funding the following programs.

  • $50 million for the Solid-State Lighting (SSL) program to promote continued research into energy saving solid-state lighting technologies

  • $100 million for the Building Energy Codes Program to increase training, including certifications, and provide technical assistance

  • $80 million for the ENERGY STAR program

  • $5 million for the WaterSense program