WASHINGTON—The Alliance to Save Energy released the following statement from President Jason Hartke regarding the Senate’s passage today of a bill including appropriations for the Department of Energy (DOE):

“What you’re seeing is the wide, bipartisan support in the U.S. Senate for investing in energy efficiency and a recognition that these investments deliver real results for taxpayers. This bill supports efficiency initiatives like advanced manufacturing and high-efficiency building technologies that have a track record of success in reducing energy waste, and that means a more productive and competitive economy, savings for consumers and businesses, and less pollution. It also keeps the U.S. in a leadership position in energy efficiency innovation.”

“Lawmakers should work to send this bill to the White House in a timely fashion so that these programs can be effectively planned and managed, delivering the most benefits to taxpayers. The Senate’s funding levels for energy efficiency are strong, and a final deal should avoid any cuts.”

“We want to thank all the senators who supported these efficiency initiatives, including the members of our Honorary Board of Advisors on the Appropriations Committee: Honorary Board Chair Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Honorary Vice-Chair Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.), and Honorary Advisors Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska). Senator Alexander, chair of the subcommittee that drafts the Energy Department’s spending plan, deservers particular praise for his role in steering this bill through committee in a bipartisan way and ensuring full funding for energy efficiency programs.”

The Senate Appropriations Committee’s report on the Energy and Water Appropriations Bill – a part of the larger bill passed today – calls for modest increases in funding for DOE’s Advanced Manufacturing Office, Building Technologies Office and Federal Energy Management Program, and level funding for the State Energy Program, Vehicle Technologies Office and Weatherization Assistance Program. Click here to see how the spending levels compare with House-passed levels, the White House budget proposal, and FY2018 spending.

About the Alliance to Save Energy

Founded in 1977, the Alliance to Save Energy is a nonprofit, bipartisan alliance of business, government, environmental and consumer leaders working to expand the economy while using less energy. Our mission is to promote energy productivity worldwide – including through energy efficiency – to achieve a stronger economy, a cleaner environment and greater energy security, affordability and reliability.

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