WASHINGTON—The Alliance to Save Energy announced Wednesday that Reps. Bobby Rush (D-Ill.) and Mike Kelly (R-Pa.) have joined the organization’s bipartisan Honorary Board of Advisors.

“Both of these leaders have worked extensively to promote energy efficiency in Congress, and we are thrilled to welcome them to the Alliance,” said Alliance President Clay Nesler. “They each bring new experience and perspectives to our honorary board and approach their work in the same collaborative and bipartisan spirit that we have since our founding over 40 years ago.”

Rush has served Illinois’ 1st Congressional District for over two decades, representing the South Side of Chicago and the Southwest suburbs. He is the second-ranking Democrat on the Energy and Commerce Committee and chairs its Subcommittee on Energy. There are 5,197 energy efficiency jobs in his district, according to Energy Efficiency Jobs in America. Rush has led numerous policy efforts supporting efficiency, most recently introducing bipartisan legislation encouraging energy workforce development and job training.

“I believe in a people-first approach to energy policy, one which promotes energy efficiency while ensuring that all Americans share in the prosperity of a cleaner, greener economy,” Rush said. “If we are to achieve a 100 percent clean energy economy by 2050, the energy efficiency industry will undoubtedly play a pivotal role. At the same time, we must not allow minorities and other vulnerable communities to be left behind in the process. The Alliance to Save Energy’s work is critical in realizing both objectives, and I am honored they have allowed me to serve on their board, alongside equally enthusiastic energy experts.”

Kelly was elected to Congress in 2010 and represents Pennsylvania’s 16th Congressional District, stretching from north of Pittsburgh to Erie. He sits on the House Ways and Means Committee and is Ranking Member of the Oversight Subcommittee. There are 2,317 energy efficiency jobs in his district. He has been active on a number of efficiency tax issues, most recently introducing bipartisan legislation to modernize and extend incentives encouraging efficiency upgrades in new and existing homes.

“Energy efficiency is a solution to so many of the challenges we face,” Kelly said. “It saves businesses and consumers money on energy bills and it makes us more productive and competitive economically. That’s why I’m excited to join the Alliance’s honorary board to spread the word about the power of energy efficiency and the benefits it can deliver for western Pennsylvania and all America.”

The congressmen join an honorary board that includes 14 other members of Congress.

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.

###