Alliance Urges Congress to Pass Legislation to Lower Energy Costs

Alliance President Kateri Callahan testified on June 9, 2011, before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee in support of two bills that address the United States’ energy challenges with increased energy efficiency: S.1000, the Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness (ESIC) Act of 2011,  and S. 963, the Reducing Federal Energy Dollars Act of 2011.

“Taken together, the many important provisions in these two bills will save American taxpayers tens of billions of dollars by cutting energy waste in the federal government,” Callahan said. She added that the bills also “will put money back into the pockets of American families by driving energy efficiency into our homes, buildings and businesses, and the manufacturing sector.” 

Building Energy Codes and Low-Cost Tools Help Create Jobs, Save Money

Of the many provisions contained in both bills the building code provisions contained in the bipartisan ESIC Act – which was introduced last month by Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) and Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio) –  would deliver the greatest energy and monetary savings.

In addition to building energy codes, ESIC uses a variety of low-cost tools to reduce barriers to the implementation of energy efficiency projects. These tools include:

• Manufacturing loans: A revolving loan program to help manufacturers reduce energy waste.  
• DOE’s loan guarantee: Expansion of the Department of Energy’s Loan Guarantee program to cover energy efficiency upgrades.
• Rural loans: A rural energy loan program to help rural electric cooperatives make zero-interest loans to homeowners and small businesses for energy efficiency improvements.

• Photo: Callahan and Shaheen discuss the future of the bill. 

Carper Bill Would Lower Federal Energy Costs

In addition to the Alliance’s support of S. 1000, the Alliance commends Carper for introducing S. 963, which calls for cost-effective energy efficiency improvements in federal buildings, equipment and vehicles. Several provisions of the bill, which was introduced by Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.), are mirrored in S. 1000.  

Learn More about the Hearing and the Shaheen-Portman Bill

• Alliance press release with details on Callahan’s testimony
• Callahan’s testimony at the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing.
• Sens. Shaheen and Portman introduced bills.1000 at a press conference on May 12.
• S.1000 section-by-section summary