“It is more than refreshing to watch the Senate actually pulling together on a bipartisan basis to deliver a solid piece of helpful legislation to the American people” stated Alliance to Save Energy President Kateri Callahan as the Senate began consideration of the Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act (S. 1392). 

Sponsored by Alliance Honorary Vice Chairs Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) and Rob Portman (R-Ohio.), this common-sense legislation is a reaffirmation of the consensus that energy efficiency is a bipartisan, cost-effective way to address our nation’s energy challenges.

“We commend Senators Shaheen and Portman for their leadership on this critical legislation and for working with Senate leadership and the Energy and Natural Resources Committee to put energy efficiency back on the front burner of the legislative agenda,” Callahan said. “Their determination and doggedness has led to substantial bipartisan support in both the House and Senate as well as a long and diverse list of 264 endorser organizations and businesses – ranging from the National Association of Manufacturers and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to a number of environmental and consumer groups.

“The Shaheen-Portman bill has also opened a well spring of other bi-partisan energy efficiency bills and amendments that are practical, low-to-no cost, and hugely impactful to our economy, jobs and the environment,” Callahan continued. “Today’s introduction of the bill and amendments witnessed senator after senator taking to the floor and working across the aisle to deliver sensible policies that will drive energy efficiency into all sectors of our economy—from government facilities and schools to families and businesses big and small.”

What the Bill Would Do

The Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act would spur the use of energy efficiency technologies in the residential, commercial, and industrial sectors of our economy, while also fostering job creation and reducing carbon emissions.

S. 1392 would employ a variety of low-cost tools to reduce barriers for private sector energy users and drive adoption of off-the-shelf efficiency technologies that will save businesses and consumers money, make America more energy secure, reduce pollution, and increase our economic competitiveness.

Benefits of Energy Efficiency Initiatives

“Enacting Shaheen-Portman will take us a long way toward achieving the Energy 2030 and President Obama’s goal of doubling energy productivity by 2030,” Callahan concluded. “Approval of S. 1392 is just the push needed to spur action on other energy efficiency bills with economic, security, and environmental benefits that transcend ideological lines. Moreover, doubling U.S. energy productivity by 2030 could save Americans $327 billion annually, create 1.3 million jobs, and reduce energy imports by $100 billion per year”

Analysis conducted by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) found that Shaheen-Portman would save American households and businesses more than $13 billion annually while also creating 164,000 net domestic jobs by 2030.  The study also found that the bill would lower carbon emissions by 80 million metric tons by 2030, the equivalent of taking more than 15 million cars off the road.   

An earlier version of Shaheen-Portman was approved by the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee with overwhelming across-the-aisle support in May. An identical counterpart, sponsored by Representatives David McKinley (R-W.Va.) and Peter Welch (D-Vt.), has also been introduced in the House of Representatives. 

Resources on the Shaheen-Portman Bill

From the Alliance

Blog post from Kateri Callahan on S-P being able to pass and become law

Statement by Kateri Callahan post Committee approval

Section-by section summary

Shortened summary of the legislation

Stakeholder letter of support to Majority Leader Reid and Republican Leader McConnell

Action alert urging Senators to vote for the bill

From Senators Shaheen & Portman

Press conference announcing introduction

Summary of the legislation

List of stakeholder endorsements