Energy Legislation
The Alliance Policy Team works on the design, passage, and implementation of federal and state energy efficiency legislation. At the federal level, energy efficiency policies are sometimes passed individually, but often incorporated into larger omnibus energy bills incorporating separate energy policies in one document. This page highlights federal energy legislation currently under consideration, as well as major bills passed in the past five years.
Energy Legislation in the 110th Congress, 2009-2010
Both chambers of Congress attempted major energy legislation in 2009. The House energy bill contained both energy and climate provisions, while the Senate worked on two bills: one on energy, another on climate. For comparison, see the Alliance Side by Side of House and Senate Energy Bills.
In the House of RepresentativesThe House of Representatives passed a combined climate and energy bill, the American Clean Energy and Security Act, on June 26th, 2009. The comprehensive bill had the potential to advance energy efficiency more than any other single piece of legislation to date. The Alliance to Save Energy strongly supports the creation of a cap-and-trade program that sets a carbon price, implements complementary energy efficiency policies, and invests in complementary energy efficiency programs. |
In the SenateThe Senate Energy and Natural Resources committee reported the American Clean Energy Leadership Act, a unified energy bill, on June 17th, 2009. Our American Clean Energy Leadership Act page includes frequently-updated material on this important piece of energy legislation. Unlike the House bill, the Senate energy bill did not include climate legislation. On September 30th, 2009, Senator Kerry and Senator Boxer introduced a separate Senate Climate bill, the Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act (CEJAPA). CEJAPA contained several energy-specific provisions in addition to the pollution reduction requirements. For more information on CEJAPA, please visit our climate resources page. |
Recent Energy Legislation
Two pieces of omnibus legislation with significant bearing on energy efficiency have recently been signed into law. One, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, is a massive appropriations bill that provides more than $25 billion for energy efficiency, out of about $787 billion in total. The other, the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA), is explicitly an energy bill. Both were major victories for the Alliance, and since their passage we have remained quite involved in both acts, now from the perspective of implementation: ensuring that the law is carried out, and that money is expended as the legislation intended. Additionally, the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (the so-called 'Bailout Bill') expanded and extended several key efficiency tax provisions.
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)
Signed into law by President Barack Obama on February 17, 2009, ARRA, or “the stimulus package,” is the single greatest federal investment in the American economy in United States’ history. The stimulus includes more than $25 billion dollars for core energy efficiency and billions more which can be directly or indirectly applied to energy efficiency projects.
Our Stimulus Resources Page features information on the energy efficiency funding provided in ARRA and how the Alliance is helping to ensure that the money is spent as intended, to maximize the investment in energy efficiency.
The Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (EESA)
On October 3rd, 2008 President Bush signed into law the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008, which contained new and renewed tax incentives for consumers and businesses for energy-efficient homes and commercial buildings, equipment, and vehicles. The incentives, originally enacted as part of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, encourage highly efficient commercial buildings, new homes, home improvements, heating and cooling equipment, appliances, and hybrid and diesel vehicles. More on Alliance Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008
The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA)
The President signed into law the most sweeping energy efficiency legislation ever enacted on December 19, 2007. EISA is projected to save American consumers and businesses more than $400 billion through 2030, and will reduce energy consumption by 7 percent and greenhouse gas emissions by 9 percent from the forecast for 2030, according to the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy. More on the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007.
Older Energy Legislation
The Energy Policy Act of 2005
Following more than four years of debate, 2005's Energy Policy Act was the first new comprehensive energy bill since 1992. The House of Representatives passed the conference report to The Energy Policy Act of 2005 on July 28 by a vote of 275-156; the Senate followed suit the next day, voting 74-26 in favor of the bill; and President Bush signed the bill into law on August 8, 2005. Several important energy-efficiency provisions were included to help Americans save money and energy while reducing pollution. Though many have been amended and extended, several provisions of EPAct '05 remain central to federal energ y efficiency programs. More on The Energy Policy Act of 2005.
We also offer general information on previous energy bills
