Congress's Increased Energy Efficiency Funding Will Drive Energy Savings and Investment | Alliance to Save Energy

Congress's Increased Energy Efficiency Funding Will Drive Energy Savings and Investment

The Alliance to Save Energy News

Congress's Increased Energy Efficiency Funding Will Drive Energy Savings and Investment

Release Date: Monday, December 16, 2019

 

WASHINGTON—The Alliance to Save Energy released the following statement from President Clay Nesler in response to the spending bill released Monday by House and Senate lawmakers:

“The increased funding in this bill means more homes weatherized for low-income households, expanded research and development of tomorrow’s energy efficiency innovations, and strengthened public-private partnerships that give manufacturers and building owners effective tools for improving efficiency.”

“It’s a continuing bipartisan investment in reducing our energy costs, improving the environment, and stimulating economic growth and productivity.”

“The bill includes clear direction to the Department of Energy to distribute appropriated funds in a timely manner and to ensure a comprehensive strategy on technology development that includes mid- and later-stage research, development, deployment, and demonstration activities. The bill also directs the Department to report to Congress on a plan to reach full staffing levels needed in energy efficiency programs, and specifically rejects a proposal to change the ENERGY STAR program to a fee-based model.”

“The climate challenge is growing, and energy efficiency measures alone could get the United States fully halfway to achieving national climate goals. Today’s bill is a big step for ramping up investment and energy savings.”

The spending plan unveiled today includes increases for each DOE energy efficiency program: Building Technologies (26%), Advanced Manufacturing (23%), Vehicle Technologies (15%), Federal Energy Management Program (33%), State Energy Program (14%) Weatherization Assistance (20%). The plan also calls for increased funding for other critical DOE programs including ARPA-E (16%) and the Energy Information Administration (1%).

About the Alliance to Save Energy

Founded in 1977, the Alliance to Save Energy is a nonprofit, bipartisan alliance of business, government, environmental and consumer leaders working to expand the economy while using less energy. Our mission is to promote energy productivity worldwide – including through energy efficiency – to achieve a stronger economy, a cleaner environment and greater energy security, affordability and reliability.

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