ACES vs. ACELA: A Comparison of Energy Efficiency Provisions

The full document compares the House-passed energy and climate bill with an energy bill as reported out of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.

American Clean Energy and Security Act

The American Clean Energy and Security Act (H.R. 2454, or ACES) passed the House on June 26th by a vote of 219 to 212. ACES combines standards and incentives to promote clean energy and energy efficiency technologies with a firm cap on greenhouse gas emissions; it represents our first real chance for a national carbon reduction plan in the United States. The American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE) estimates that, in 2030 alone, the energy efficiency provisions in ACES could reduce energy consumption by about 8.8 quads, avoid about 539 MMT of carbon emissions, and save about $62 billion in net consumer savings, or $486 per household.

American Clean Energy Leadership Act

The American Clean Energy Leadership Act (S. 1462, or ACELA) passed the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee on June 17th by a vote of 15 to 8. ACELA is an energy bill that incorporates many policies similar to those in ACES; the Senate is constructing a climate component to add to the bill, but currently ACELA does not include provisions to cap and trade greenhouse gas emissions. ACEEE estimates that, in 2030 alone, the energy efficiency provisions in ACELA could reduce energy consumption by about 4.3 quads, avoid about 65 MMT of carbon emissions, and save about $36 billion in net consumer savings; this would equate to a savings of about $240 per households.