WASHINGTON – The Alliance to Save Energy released the following statement from Vice President of Government Affairs & Communications Ben Evans in response to the omnibus spending bill released Wednesday for the remainder of FY 2018. The bill maintains or increases funding for energy efficiency programs in the Energy Department’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy and maintains level funding for the ENERGY STAR program based at EPA.

“It’s been a long time coming but Congress got it right with this bill by maintaining or increasing funding for energy efficiency programs despite the dramatic cuts proposed by the administration. This bill reflects bipartisan recognition that these investments pay off. They help homeowners hold down energy costs. They help manufacturers improve their efficiency and become more competitive. They help utilities manage demand on the grid. And they significantly reduce pollution.”

“Thanks to a combination of private investments and public programs, the U.S. now gets twice as much gross domestic product per unit of energy consumed as we did in 1980. But we need to keep pushing, because our nation still fails to capture about two-thirds of the energy we produce, which means a lot of wasted costs for consumers and businesses alike. Cutting the programs that help us reduce energy waste was never a good idea.”

“Looking ahead, as Congress begins to set appropriations for the upcoming fiscal year, we will encourage them to once again reject proposed cuts and increase funding to energy efficiency programs so we can build on their success.”

“Congress deserves praise for its bipartisan support of efficiency investments. I’d particularly like to thank the Alliance Honorary Board of Advisors members on the appropriations committees, who pressed to ensure efficiency would be funded: Honorary Chair Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Honorary Vice-Chair Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.), Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine).”

KEY FEDERAL ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROGRAMS

Advanced Manufacturing Office

With a goal of spurring innovation in U.S. manufacturing, AMO works with industry partners, small businesses, universities, and other stakeholders to develop emerging technologies, including improved efficiency, with the potential to strengthen U.S. competitiveness in the manufacturing sector and create high-quality U.S. manufacturing jobs.

Building Technologies Office

Residential and commercial buildings represent more than 40 percent of U.S. annual energy consumption, which equates to a national energy bill of more than $400 billion. BTO leads a network of national laboratory, university, small business and industry partners to develop and deploy innovative, cost-effective energy saving solutions for US buildings, including helping to develop model building energy codes and appliance standards. 

Vehicle Technologies Office

VTO supports research, development and deployment of efficient and sustainable transportation technologies that will reduce U.S. dependence on petroleum by improving energy efficiency and fuel economy. These technologies include advanced batteries and electric drive systems, lightweight materials, advanced combustion engines, alternative fuels, as well as energy efficient mobility systems.

Federal Energy Management Program

The U.S. government is the single largest energy consumer in the country with more 360,000 buildings and 600,000 vehicles. FEMP helps federal agencies improve their efficiency and reduce energy costs by identifying cost-effective solutions, facilitating public-private partnerships and identifying government best practices. 

Research and Development:

National Laboratories

DOE’s national labs have been among the leading scientific institutions in the world since their founding more than sixty years ago, playing a key role in making the U.S. a global leader in innovation, scientific advancement and cutting-edge technology, including in energy efficiency. Labs such as Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, National Renewable Energy Laboratory and Oak Ridge National Laboratory are not only leading us to the latest efficiency breakthroughs but are helping companies across the country become more productive and competitive.

ARPA-E

ARPA-E supports high-impact, potentially transformational energy technologies, including for efficiency, that are too early for private-sector investment. After surviving a rigorous selection process, ARPA-E awardees develop new ways to generate, store, and use energy – yielding big results from a limited amount of funding.

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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