NECA Priorities Included in 2022 NDAA Passed in House

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NDAA Passes the House

On September 23, the House passed the FY22 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) with a 316-113 vote. There were multiple provisions and amendments included in the final bill that could help our NECA contractors do more work with the Department of Defense (DOD):

Microgrids: Requires the Department to amend the DOD building codes to require consideration of microgrids early in the planning process. Also encourages the Department to renegotiate contracts related to existing on-installation renewable energy projects to enhance installation resiliency during power disruptions.
Energy Efficiency Targets for Defense Data Centers: Requires the Department to assess energy and water usage at existing data centers and set conservation goals for new data centers.
EV Charging Infrastructure on Military Installations: Requires the Department to include EV charging infrastructure needs in their planning for new domestic military construction. Also requires the Department to adopt industry standard planning considerations in the development and rollout of charging infrastructure at military installations.
Operational Energy: Requires the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Energy, Installations, and Environment to report on alternative fuels including hydrogen; mandates a holistic review of the associated production, transportation, geopolitical, commercial, R&D, and performance issues of alternative energy.
Direct the Secretary of Defense to carry out a pilot program on the implementation of mitigating actions to address vulnerabilities to defense-critical electric infrastructure.
Ensures that military construction projects utilize registered apprentices, which provide invaluable on-the-job experience while learning a trade.
Establish a manufacturing coalition between labor, career and technical education programs, workforce development boards and the defense industrial base to highlight expertise and create career pathways.
A provision to enhance ‘Buy American’ standards for major defense acquisition programs. This amendment increases that standard to 60% immediately, 65% by January 2024, and 75% by 2029.

NECA’s Look Ahead: NECA commends the House on its passage of the NDAA. As the bill proceeds to the Senate for consideration, NECA staff will closely monitor which provisions remain in the bill.

House Takes on Senate's Infrastructure Bill Next Week

Next week, the House is set the consider the Senate-passed bipartisan infrastructure bill—the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). NECA joined with a large coalition of groups urging the house to pass this bipartisan legislation. The outlook for final passage of the bill remains in flux as members of both parties raised objections to the bill, in addition to its the timing of the vote as it relates to Senate consideration of the Budget Reconciliation package. NECA is committed to supporting long-term investment in infrastructure that is responsibly funded.

Read IIJA Support Letter

Chairman's Challenge

Nebraska Chapter Attends Federal Legislative Summit in Nebraska

In August, the Nebraska Chapter attended the 12^th annual Federal Legislative Summit in Ashland, Nebraska. During this event, they received an update on the political climate in Washington, D.C., by Sen. Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Sen. Ben Sasse (R-Neb.), Rep. Jeff Fortenberry (R-Neb.), Rep. Adrian Smith (R-Neb.), and Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.).

Spotlight: Visit Us at the Government Affairs Booth @ Convention

NECA Convention in Nashville, TN, is less than a month away! During the tradeshow, visit the NECA Government Affairs Booth #1445 at the NECA Show floor and show your support for NECAPAC to be automatically entered into the Sweepstakes. Win great prizes like a Meater Wireless Meat Thermometer, Apple TV 4k, Coravin Wine Preservation System, Hue Smart Lights with Hub, Nest Smart Lock, and an Apple Watch.

There will be three winners each day and if you contribute the first day of the trade show, you will be entered to win all nine great prizes! Winners will be announced each day at the following times:

◦ Sunday, October 10 at 4:30pm

◦ Monday, October 11 at 3:30pm

◦ Tuesday, October 12 at 1:00pm

Thank you for your continued involvement with NECA Government Affairs and we hope to see you all at the NECA Government Affairs Booth!