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With Congress Out, the Alliance Pushes for Energy Reform

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Date: Oct 04, 2010

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It’s that time of year again, as Congress returns home to prepare for what is sure to be an exciting midterm election day on Nov. 2. Meanwhile, the Alliance is gearing up for the “lame duck” session of Congress in November. 

The Lame Duck Session

The next few months will be critical for us as we work to build on the gains for energy efficiency that Congress made in the past two years. Regardless of the outcome of the midterm elections, the Alliance hopes that Congress will return the week of Nov. 15 ready to tackle unfinished business, and will continue to work (outside of Thanksgiving week) right up to Christmas. 

Despite an uphill battle, we are committed to working with members of Congress to consider our issues among the other policies still remaining on their plates. So, what’s left to be seriously considered before the end of the year?

Our Bucket List

The Senate leadership has, on numerous occasions, mentioned the possibility of considering various pieces of legislation that we at the Alliance have been working on, namely:

  • The Renewable Energy Promotion Act (REPA): Introduced Sept. 21, 2010, by Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Chairman Sen. Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.), as well as Sens. Sam Brownback (R-Kan.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.), Mark Udall (D-Colo.) and Tom Udall (D-N.M.), the REPA would create a national Renewable Electricity Standard (RES) that requires utilities to obtain 15 percent of their energy production through renewable energy, with energy efficiency as an acceptable resource to meet one quarter (or 4 percent) of the mandated target. 
  • Implementation of National Consensus Appliance Agreements Act (INCAAA): Introduced Sept. 29, 2010, by the Chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee and Alliance Honorary Vice-Chair Sen. Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.), INCAAA builds upon a series of agreements on energy- and water-saving standards for appliances negotiated between the manufacturing industry and energy efficiency advocates, including the Alliance, and codifies them into law. 
  • Advanced Energy Tax Incentives Act of 2010 (S. 3935): Introduced Sept. 29, 2010, by Sens. Bingaman and Olympia Snowe (R-Maine), S. 3935 would provide numerous tax credits for home and business owners to invest in energy-saving technologies, including the introduction of performance-based tax credits for whole home retrofits.
  • Home Star: Home Star was re-introduced in the Senate prior to recess, as part of Sen. Harry Reid’s (D-Nev.) “Spill Bill.” While the bill did move in the House, Home Star is still seen as a viable, bipartisan legislative proposal.

4th Quarter

As you can see, there is much work to be done. The mere existence of a lame duck session presents many challenges to the passage of any legislation. Nevertheless, we hope that energy efficiency will continue to cross the partisan divide and present us with a few more victories before the end of this Congress and this year.