Senate deals a blow to federal 2030 targets

{"version":"0.3.0","atoms":[],"cards":[],"markups":[["a",["href","http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/senate-energy-bill-repeals-phase-out-of-federal-fossil-fuels\/article\/2589059","target","_new"]],["a",["href","http:\/\/www.bizjournals.com\/dallas\/news\/news-wire\/2016\/04\/20\/senate-energy-bill-promotes-effiiciency-boosts-lng.html","target","_new"]],["a",["href","http:\/\/www.enr.com\/articles\/39286-senate-passes-energy-bill-that-would-expedite-energy-projects ","target","_new"]],["em"],["a",["href","\/press-releases\/2306-architects-denounce-senate-vote-killing-energy-conservation-requirements-for-federal-buildings"]]],"sections":[[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"Late last month, the U.S. Senate voted to approve S. 2012, the Energy Policy Modernization Act. Although this bill contains some good provisions for energy efficiency, it also includes the repeal of current 2030 fossil fuel reduction targets for federal buildings. The bill was passed due largely to a strong lobbying push by the natural gas industry, which has made repealing 2030 one of their top priorities, and despite a major push by the AIA and its allies to raise opposition to the provision. As we celebrate Earth Day and the nations of the world come together to sign the Paris climate accord, the Senate\u2019s work will move us backwards on climate."]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"Although this is a major setback, the war is not yet over. In order for the repeal to take effect, the House and Senate need to reconcile differences between the markedly different energy bills passed by each body. The compromise legislation must then gain support of a skeptical White House, which has threatened to veto the House version due in no small part to the 2030 repeal. With Congress scheduled to be out of session for much of the summer and fall for party conventions and campaign season, the number of working days available is fairly small. Once Congress adjourns for the year, all current bills expire, and the new Congress needs to start over. As this process unfolds, AIA will continue working with its allies to argue against the repeal of this critical policy."]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"AIA\u2019s perspective has been reported in several accounts of this week\u2019s developments:"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"Washington Examiner: "],[0,[0],1,"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/senate-energy-bill-repeals-phase-out-of-federal-fossil-fuels\/article\/2589059"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"Business Journal: "],[0,[1],1,"http:\/\/www.bizjournals.com\/dallas\/news\/news-wire\/2016\/04\/20\/senate-energy-bill-promotes-effiiciency-boosts-lng.html"],[0,[],0," "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"Engineering News Record: "],[0,[2],1,"http:\/\/www.enr.com\/articles\/39286-senate-passes-energy-bill-that-would-expedite-energy-projects"],[0,[],0," "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"To read AIA\u2019s press release, click here: "],[0,[3,4],2,"Architects denounce Senate vote killing energy conservation requirements for federal buildings"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[3],1,"Ian McTiernan, Manager, Federal Relations"]]]]}