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hburgnews.com reader Anne Nielsen surveyed all the House of Delegates candidates running in any part of Rockingham County (on behalf of the Climate Action Alliance of the Valley).

See part one of this series here. Below are the results to the second question from her survey; What is your interest in policies designed to improve the energy efficiency of buildings?

District 26

Republican incumbent, Del. Matt Lohr:

(No response)
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Democratic challenger Gene Hart:

“The quickest and cheapest gains in energy are in energy efficiency and conservation. (There has been) too little long-term thinking and planning on this subject. The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards are an independent certification process addressing the construction and renovation of buildings that are less costly to operate, conserve energy and water, are safer and healthier for occupants, and produce less waste. Constructing homes and buildings to LEED standards save money, energy and natural resources. Tax credits should be available for homeowners purchasing new homes constructed to LEED standards and for homeowners who renovate existing homes to LEED standards. I also support the requirement that all new and renovated state- and local government-owned facilities meet LEED standards.”

District 20

Republican Richard P. “Dickie” Bell:

(No response)
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Democrat Erik Curren:

“Making buildings energy efficient is one of the top strategies in the jobs plan I released a couple weeks ago. Good jobs for the Valley. I believe that building codes for all construction should be improved to maximize energy efficiency in new construction, perhaps using as a model LEED or Energy Star for buildings standards. And I would support requiring new construction of public buildings (schools, government offices, etc.) should conform to a reasonable level of LEED standard.

District 25

Republican incumbent Del. Steve Landes:

(No response)
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Democratic challenger Greg Marrow:

“One of the easiest ways to improve our energy independence is by using less energy. I have spoken (about) and released a plan which includes extending a tax holiday to purchasing products which will lower our energy consumption, including energy efficient windows, insulation and much more.”

Anne said she didn’t receive replies from Del. Todd Gilbert or challenger John Lesinski, both of whom are running in District 15.

I’ll try to post responses to her other third question (about local food) tomorrow.

(thanks, Anne)