WASHINGTON – The Alliance to Save Energy released the following statement from President Kateri Callahan as Congress returns to Washington for the lame duck session.

“Congress has a narrow window of opportunity in the coming weeks to pass a comprehensive energy bill that would have a real impact on Americans’ lives. The Senate energy efficiency provisions based on the bipartisan Portman-Shaheen legislation will save consumers billions of dollars and stimulate innovation and economic activity across the economy, including in manufacturing.

The Portman-Shaheen bill has had overwhelming bipartisan support since it was first introduced five years ago. Every year we wait to pass it builds unnecessary pollution and inefficiency into our economy. And punting it to next year means, by definition, additional and unnecessary delays as the new Congress organizes, establishes priorities and begins the work of developing working relationships with a new administration.

There is every good reason to get the energy efficiency provisions in place now and no good reason – political or other – to delay further.  This is the kind of practical, common sense work that Americans expect from Congress, and we believe a lot of good will and credibility with the public will be built with the passage of these common sense and money-delivering energy efficiency provisions.”

About the Alliance to Save Energy

Founded in 1977, the Alliance to Save Energy is the leading energy efficiency coalition in the nation – a nonprofit, bipartisan alliance of business, government, environmental and consumer leaders advocating for enhanced energy efficiency across all sectors of the economy. Our mission is to promote energy efficiency worldwide to achieve a healthier economy, a cleaner environment and energy security.