Energy Efficiency Coalition Letter in Support of S.1000
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Energy Efficiency Coalition Letter in Support of S.1000
May 21, 2012
The Honorable Harry Reid The Honorable Mitch McConnell
Majority Leader Republican Leader
United States Senate United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510 Washington, DC 20510
Dear Majority Leader Reid and Republican Leader McConnell,
As a broad coalition of energy efficiency and environmental organizations, small and large businesses, and public interest and faith based groups, we urge you to bring the Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act (S. 1000) to the floor for a vote as soon as possible.
While today’s economic challenges make it difficult for consumers and businesses, energy efficiency measures are the quickest, cheapest, and cleanest way to tackle growing energy demand. Wasted energy is a costly drag on our economy, but equally important amid the economic recession is that energy efficiency contributes more toward meeting this need than any other resource. Without the numerous energy efficiency improvements made since 1973, the United States would require an additional 50 percent more energy to power the current economy.
At a time when too many Americans are suffering financial hardships, energy efficiency offers real solutions that would not only help alleviate their pain, but would also deal with the short- and long-term economic, environmental and national security problems associated with rising energy use. National energy efficiency policies save money, lessen dependence on imported energy sources, decrease pollution and improve our nation’s global competitiveness. In addition, these initiatives enable domestic businesses to leverage private capital, provide long-term market certainty, spur economic growth and create jobs.
For these reasons, we ask that you schedule a vote on S. 1000, which would result in exceptional savings for consumers and businesses that could be spent in other economic sectors. Sponsored by Senators Shaheen and Portman, this bipartisan bill would implement several energy efficiency measures across the residential, commercial and industrial sectors. The Energy Savings and Industrial Competiveness Act was reported favorably last summer on a vote of 18-3 by the Senate Energy Committee.
An assessment conducted by the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE) estimates that by 2030 the Shaheen-Portman bill would save American households and businesses $59 billion in cumulative net energy costs and create 159,000 domestic jobs. ACEEE’s analysis also indicated that the legislation would cut the amount of carbon dioxide emitted in the U.S. by 108 million metric tons in 2030, which would be the equivalent of taking more than 23 million cars off the road. Additionally, the energy efficiency initiatives contained in S. 1000 would help facilitate the manufacture and deployment of energy efficiency technologies at home rather than abroad, and pay for themselves through energy savings relatively quickly.
Energy efficiency has always been a bipartisan issue. Moreover, it affords Congress the opportunity to help respond to the electorate’s public calls to assist the economy without undue cost or regulatory burden at this critical moment. Again, we urge you to schedule the Shaheen-Portman energy efficiency initiative for a vote in the near future so that Americans can begin reaping the benefits this proposal would yield.
Sincerely,
Alliance to Save Energy
American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy
Aberdeen Mechanical Inc.
ABM Energy
Acuity Brands Lighting
Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI)
Alliance for Industrial Efficiency
American Air, Inc.
American Chemistry Council
American Institute of Architects
American Public Power Association (APPA)
ASHRAE
Association of State Energy Research and Technology Transfer Institutions (ASERTTI)
Avon Lake Sheet Metal Co.
The Brewer-Garrett Co.
Castle Heating & Air, Inc.
Center for Environmental Innovation in Roofing
Citizens for Pennsylvania's Future (PennFuture)
Copper Development Association Inc.
Conservation Law Foundation
Conservation Services Group
Council of North American Insulation Manufacturers Association
Danfoss
Digital Energy & Sustainability Solutions Campaign
D. L. Page, Inc.
Duct Fabricators, Incorporated
Earth Day Network
Energy Future Coalition
Environmental Defense Fund
Environmental and Energy Study Institute
Environment America
Environment Northeast
Federal Performance Contracting Coalition
FlexEnergy, Inc.
Franck & Fric. Inc.
Fulton & Associates Balance Company
Geauga Mechanical Co., Inc.
Habitat for Humanity International
HAVE, Inc.
Honeywell
Imperial Heating & Cooling, Inc.
Ingersoll Rand
Industrial First, Inc.
Institute for Market Transformation
Interfaith Power & Light
International Association of Lighting Designers
International Copper Association, Ltd.
International District Energy Association
Johns Manville
Johnson Controls, Inc.
Green Building Initiative
Green Strategies, Inc.
Knauf Insulation
Large Public Power Council
League of Conservation Voters
Legrand
Luxury Heating Co.
Masco Corporation
Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (MEEA)
Miles Mechanical, Inc.
Nalco, an Ecolab Company
National Association for State Community Services Programs (NASCSP)
National Association of Energy Service Companies (NAESCO)
National Association of State Energy Officials (NASEO)
National Community Action Foundation
National Grid
National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA)
Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships (NEEP)
Northern Ohio Roofing & Sheet Metal Inc.
Oregon Environmental Council
Orion Energy Systems
Owens Corning
Philips Electronics
Polyisocyanurate Insulation Manufacturers Association (PIMA)
Professional Balance Company (dba PBC, Inc.)
Rebuilding Together
Recycled Energy Development
Rinnai America Corporation
Robert Bosch LLC
Schneider Electric
Schweizer Dipple, Inc.
Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractor’s National Association (SMACNA)
Sibley, Inc.
Siemens
Sierra Club
Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance (SEEA)
The Dow Chemical Company
The Stella Group, Ltd.
The Wilderness Society
T. H. Martin Inc.
TRI-C Sheet Metal, Inc.
Union of Concerned Scientists
Vinyl Siding Institute, Inc.
Willham Roofing Co., Inc.
STAY EMPOWERED
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The power of efficiency is in your hands. Supporting the Alliance means supporting a vision for using energy more productively to achieve economic growth, a cleaner environment, and greater energy security, affordability, and reliability.