Alliance Urges Obama to Include Energy Efficiency Initiatives in Speech on Job Creation | Alliance to Save Energy

Alliance Urges Obama to Include Energy Efficiency Initiatives in Speech on Job Creation

The Alliance to Save Energy News

Alliance Urges Obama to Include Energy Efficiency Initiatives in Speech on Job Creation

Release Date: Thursday, September 8, 2011

Washington, D.C., September 8, 2011 – The Alliance to Save Energy is urging President Obama to include energy efficiency initiatives among the proven job-creating approaches in tonight’s address to a joint session of Congress. The Alliance said energy efficiency programs have a strong track record of creating jobs and saving money for American families and businesses while safeguarding the environment and national security.

Energy Efficiency: Unique Bipartisan Opportunity

The Alliance added that energy efficiency is a rare issue that crosses party lines, citing as an example the Shaheen-Portman energy-efficiency bill (S. 1000, the Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act) recently approved on a bipartisan vote by the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. By strengthening building energy codes, providing energy efficiency financing options for manufacturers and building owners and pushing the federal government to improve its energy management, the bill will have a significant impact on job creation.

“Energy efficiency programs that create jobs while saving energy and money offer smart, cost-effective and ‘no regrets’ opportunities for Democrats and Republicans alike to help their constituents and the nation at large,” said Alliance President Kateri Callahan.

She continued, “Energy efficiency is not defined by party lines or right/left dichotomies and is embraced on both sides of the congressional aisle – a critically important consideration in today’s contentious political climate.”

Job Growth From Energy Efficiency Programs

Researchers at the University of Massachusetts Amherst estimate that for every $1 million invested in energy efficiency about 15 jobs are created. And a study by that university along with the U.S. Green Building Council, the Natural Resources Defense Council and the Real Estate Roundtable claims a federal investment of $1.4 billion in upgrading commercial buildings could leverage $7 billion in private spending, creating a total of 114,000 jobs.

The Alliance pointed to several examples of the federal government and the private sector working together on energy efficiency programs that are adding jobs and growing businesses:

Callahan concluded: “Energy efficiency creates jobs twice, first with investments that generate good domestic jobs – after all, you can’t outsource installing insulation – and then by leaving more money in consumers’ and businesses’ pockets that, when spent, creates additional jobs while strengthening the economy for years to come.”

For More Information

STAY EMPOWERED

 

TAKE ACTION

Help the Alliance advocate for policies to use energy more efficiently – supporting job creation, reduced emissions, and lower costs. Contact your member of Congress.

JOIN US

Energy efficiency is smart, nonpartisan, and practical. So are we. Our strength comes from an unparalleled group of Alliance Associates working collaboratively under the Alliance umbrella to pave the way for energy efficiency gains.

DONATE

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.