Letter from the President’s Desk: New Energy Efficiency Bill
Dear Friends,
What exciting news we’ve got! On Thursday, May 12, I was thrilled to join our Honorary Chair, Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), freshman Senator Rob Portman (R-Ohio), and executives from Owens Corning and Siemens at a press conference in the shadow of our nation’s Capitol to announce the introduction of S. 1000, the Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act of 2011. This low cost, but highly impactful legislation uses energy efficiency to cost-effectively and cleanly meet Americans’ growing demand for energy. The building code, appliance standards, incentive programs, loan guarantee measures and federal energy management provisions along with the other creative measures encompassed in the bill will save Americans tens of billions of dollars while creating good jobs.
Democrat and Republican Policymakers Unite to Craft Bill
We didn’t get here by magic, but by the hard work of many, and the bold and strong leadership of senators Shaheen and Portman, who reached across the wide political divide in the name of our economy, energy security and environment to write this bill. The Alliance was only one of many organizations and companies to work closely with the senators’ staffs on this comprehensive, energy efficiency-only bill, thus ensuring broad support that can help to bring significant and bipartisan support for the legislation in Congress.
I also want to thank all of you who signed onto our Energy Efficiency Coalition letter endorsing the bill – more than 50 companies and organizations as of May 16. I urge those of you who are not presently on the letter to take a look at the Shaheen-Portman bill and consider signifying your endorsement through the EE Coalition.
A Real Bill with a Strong Message – Not a Message Bill
S. 1000 is not a message bill. The legislation was crafted carefully to garner the bipartisan support necessary in both chambers of Congress to make it over the finish line and onto the president’s desk for signature into law. We expect the bill to be introduced in the House in the coming weeks – again in a bipartisan manner. In addition, Senate Energy Committee Chair Jeff Bingaman has indicated publicly that he will hold a hearing on S. 1000.
As these next important steps in the process are taken and more people are made aware of the huge benefits accruing from the policies proposed, we believe that calls for this bill’s enactment will grow ever louder from both sides of the Capitol and both sides of the political aisle. But the senators can’t do it alone.
Stand With Us
Strong and vocal support from the business community is absolutely vital to securing S. 1000’s approval in Congress. While we work to introduce companion legislation in the House and move the bill through committee, I ask you to join us now in our advocacy efforts.
To those not yet on board, please review the bill, and consider signing onto our support letter at a minimum, or signing up for action with the EE Coalition, by contacting Brad Penney (202-530-4348) or Nancy Gonzalez (202-530-4349).
Check out our news article with anaylsis of the bill and stay tuned for more news as this story develops!
Best,
Kateri Callahan
