Edward Mazria and the 2030 Challenge respond to the American Gas Association’s attack on Section 433.

Last week a House Appropriations Committee approved a spending bill for energy and water agencies and, tucked into it, was an amendment (sponsored by Representative Rodney Alexander, a Republican from Louisiana) that would essentially gut Section 433 of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. That provision mandates the eventual elimination of fossil fuels by most federal buildings by 2030. An odd assortment of the usual suspects (think: evil oil companies), and some real head scratchers (companies at the forefront of energy efficiency) have banded together to kill Section 433. According the E&E Daily, the American Gas Association has been circulating a position paper entitled, “Fossil Fuel Elimination Rule: Issue Brief.” On Friday, Edward Mazria and the folks at the 2030 Challenge responded to the brief. It’s essential reading: http://www.architecture2030.org/enews/news_050412.html

Last week I received a press release from the American Institute of Architects (AIA) headlined, “Architects Oppose Effort to Repeal Energy Reduction Law for Federal Buildings.” This was in response to an action last week by the House Appropriations Committee, which approved the 2013 Energy and Water appropriations bill that included an amendment (sponsored by Congressman Rodney Alexander, a Republican from Louisiana) prohibiting the use of appropriated funds to implement Section 433 of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007.

What is Section 433 and why should architects care? The provision is in many ways—all of them good, in my view—a radical one. It mandates a fossil fuel-free future for federal buildings. According to the law, all new federal buildings and older buildings undergoing renovations of more than $2.5 million are required to substantially cut their use of fossil fuels. The provision sets rigorous, targeted goals that culminate in a 100% reduction by 2030. For all practical purposes, this represents nothing less than the federal adoption of Edward Mazria’s 2030 Challenge.

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