The Alliance to Save Energy lauds the strong 18-3 bipartisan vote by the Senate Energy Committee to advance the Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act, S. 1000. The Alliance now calls upon the full Senate to follow the important lead of the Energy Committee and quickly enact this energy efficiency package that promises American consumers and businesses big energy and money savings.

S. 1000 is co-sponsored by Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), the honorary chair of the Alliance Board of Directors, and Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio). These two statesmen worked for months to craft a bill that could be embraced by members of Congress from both political parties and both chambers. 

Energy Efficiency Bill Could Save Economy Billions

The bill is relatively modest in cost – authorizing only $1.07 billion over several years, funds which are offset fully – but will have a significant and meaningful impact in reducing the country’s energy use and saving consumers and businesses money. 
 
“The Senate Energy Committee’s strong bipartisan vote for the Shaheen-Portman energy efficiency package testifies to the broad appeal of energy efficiency as the cheapest, quickest and cleanest way to extend our country’s energy supplies and insulate all Americans from rising energy costs,” said Alliance President Kateri Callahan.

She continued, “Partisan haranguing need not be the order of the day on Capitol Hill when it comes to national energy policy; energy efficiency offers a smart, cost-effective and ‘no regrets’ opportunity for Democrats and Republicans alike to help their constituents at home.”

The bill addresses three major areas of U.S. energy use:

• Residential and commercial buildings, which consume 40% of all energy used in the country;
• The industrial sector, which consumes more energy than any other sector of the U.S. economy; and
• The federal government, which is the nation’s single largest energy consumer.

By strengthening building energy codes, providing energy efficiency financing options for manufacturers and requiring the federal government to improve its energy management, the bill will have a significant impact.

S. 1000 Heads to Senate Floor

“When the bill was introduced, we were pleased to join with more than 100 industry leaders to support the statesmanship and hard work by Sens. Shaheen and Portman in crafting their bill. The senators have parlayed this support – and the call of Americans coast-to-coast – into swift and favorable action by the Senate Energy Committee," Callahan said.

"Now it’s on to the Senate floor, where we are confident that Sens. Shaheen and Portman once again will work to ensure that sound, smart energy efficiency policy prevails over politics,” Callahan concluded.

Resources on the Shaheen-Portman Bill

• From the Alliance
  • News article on the Alliance's testimony at the June 10 ENR Committee hearing
  • Press release on May 12 introduction of S. 1000
  • Section-by-section summary
  • Letter from Callahan to Associate members
  • Letter of support to senators Shaheen and Portman from the Energy Efficiency Coalition
  • Letter of support to Senate Leadership from the Energy Efficiency Coalition
• From Shaheen & Portman
  
  
  • July 14, 2011 joint press release on bill passing ENR Committee
  • One-page summary
  • Comprehensive summary
  • Full text of the bill
  • Letter from Sens. Shaheen and Portman to Senate leadership