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Washington, D.C., June 26, 2009 – Hidden in the voluminous American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 (H.R. 2454) are cost-effective energy efficiency provisions that are the “golden keys” to addressing the nation’s most pressing economic and environmental concerns, the Alliance to Save Energy said today.
“Energy efficiency is a ‘win-win’ strategy and an essential component of the House energy/climate bill’s tool kit for creating clean energy jobs, improving our nation’s economy, and reducing global warming,” said Alliance President Kateri Callahan. “The energy efficiency provisions will be an unexpected bonus for American consumers and businesses.
“The combination of the bill’s market-based carbon emission caps and the specific efficiency measures will be the most significant energy efficiency policies ever implemented in this country,” Callahan added. “Most importantly, the energy efficiency measures will reduce the bill’s price tag by saving money throughout our economy.”
The energy efficiency provisions are expected to save billions of dollars and create hundreds of thousands of jobs, greatly reducing any economic costs from other parts of the bill. According to the EPA, the energy efficiency provisions will save consumers roughly 7 percent on their energy bills in 2020.
“Particularly significant is the provision on building codes, which will kick-start dramatic energy efficiency improvements in all new homes and commercial buildings,” Callahan continued. “Robust building codes applied in all states will not only create new jobs, they also will dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions and lower energy costs for building owners and occupants.”
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The Alliance to Save Energy is a coalition of prominent business, government, environmental, and consumer leaders who promote the efficient and clean use of energy worldwide to benefit consumers, the environment, the economy, and national security.
For Further Information
Ronnie Kweller: 202-530-2203 (O); 202-276-9327 (C); rkweller@ase.org
Jessica Lin: 202-530-24346 (O); jlin@ase.org
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