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After a whirlwind four day trip to New York City and Northern California, we are happy to report that the Alliance to Save Energy’s first Congressional Fact-Finding Trip was a big success! Alliance staff was joined by 13 Congressional staff, Administration officials and Alliance Associates to see, first-hand, a variety of energy efficient technologies in action. The trip participants drove fuel cell vehicles at the California Fuel Cell Partnership and were transported through the streets of Manhattan in a hybrid electric bus. The group visited basements of massive commercial buildings to see state-of-the-art cooling and heating systems, and watched as lab technicians worked on cutting edge window, lighting and battery technologies. Participants received in-depth information during four roundtable discussions that were conducted with state and local government representatives, environmentalists, industry and energy efficiency experts and others throughout New York and California.
--Our delegation hitches a ride in a hybrid electric bus in New York City--
According to Kevin Carroll, Staff Director of the Energy Subcommittee, House Science Committee, “The trip was terrific: packed with real-life examples of things that we often discuss in the abstract here on the Hill. We had the opportunity to see the fruits of the R&D programs that the government has funded over the last several years, as well as to get new ideas from activities on the state and local level…. All in all, it was one of the most informative trips I have been on.” Based on surveys the Alliance has received from the participants, we are pleased to report that there is an overwhelming consensus among Congressional staff and administration officials who traveled with us was that the trip was incredibly valuable, and they are eager to use what they learned to help implement sound federal energy policies.
--Riding in the fuel cell vehicles at the California Fuel Cell Partnership in Sacramento--
By bringing together staff from different parties, diverse committees, both chambers of Congress, and the Administration, we believe this trip will help to move energy efficiency issues to the front and center of the debate as the 109th Congress moves forward with energy legislation. On this trip, the participants were exposed to fresh and innovative ideas for new policies and initiatives that can -- and in many states already do -- receive bi-partisan support. We will continue to help the congressional staff and administration officials who joined us incorporate these ideas into federal legislation aimed at advancing energy efficiency.
--Exploring a new boiler room provided by an Energy Saving Preformance Contract at the VA Medical Center in San Francisco--
2004 Congressional Fact-FInding Trip Participants
CONGRESSIONAL STAFF
Jerry Hinkle, Fellow, Senator Byron Dorgan (D-ND)
Amanda Murphy, Legislative Assistant on Energy, Congressman Jay Inslee (D-1st WA)
Ed Walz, Legislative Assistant on Energy and the Environment, Congressman Sherrod Brown (D-13th OH)
COMMITTEE STAFF
Kurt Bilas, Counsel, House Committee on Energy and Commerce
Kevin Carroll, Staff Director of the Energy Subcommittee, House Science Committee
Deborah Estes, Counsel, Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee
Marnie Funk, Counsel, Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee
Tad Gallion, Professional Staff, House Appropriations, Subcommittee on VA HUD
Eli Hopson, Legislative Assistant, Energy Subcommittee, House Science committee
Maryam Sabbaghian, Counsel, House Committee on Energy and Commerce
ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS
Bryan Hannegan, Associate Director for Energy & Transportation, Council on Environmental Quality
Kathleen Hogan, Director, Climate Protection Partnership, Environmental Protection Agency
Jennifer Sollars, Advisor, Legislative Affairs to the Assistant Secretary/Acting Under Secretary David Garman, U.S. Department of Energy
Maria Vargas, Director of Strategic Partnerships, Environmental Protection Agency
CORPORATE PARTICIPANTS
Ben Cannon, Director, Government Affairs, BP
Rich Goodstein, Washington Representative, Air Products & Chemicals, Inc
George Phelps, Vice President, Government and Industry Affairs, North American Insulation Manufacturers Association
Mark Wagner, Vice President, Government Relations, Johnson Controls
Heather West, Director, Congressional Relations and International Trade, Whirlpool
ALLIANCE TO SAVE ENERGY STAFF:
Kateri Callahan, President, Alliance to Save Energy
Anna Carmichael, Policy Associate, Alliance to Save Energy
Gail Hendrickson, Director of Transportation, Alliance to Save Energy
Kara Saul Rinaldi, Director of Policy, Alliance to Save Energy
Lowell Ungar, Policy Manager, Alliance to Save Energy
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