WASHINGTON – In two separate letters to Senate appropriators led by the Alliance to Save Energy, diverse coalitions this week called for robust funding for energy efficiency programs at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, in addition to increased funding for the Environmental Protection Agency’s ENERGY STAR program.  

“Investments to make our buildings, homes, and industry more efficient today lock in year after year of cost savings on energy bills,” said Alliance President Paula Glover. “And at the same time, efficiency investments reduce climate-warming emissions and create jobs, with the efficiency workforce employing people in 99.8% of U.S. counties. This is money well spent.”

The letters come as all eyes on Capitol Hill turn to infrastructure negotiations, and as the Senate approaches its deadline for funding requests. The letters highlight some of the highest impact programs that Congress should focus funding on in an infrastructure package and/or regular appropriations, including increased funding for EERE’s four main energy efficiency programs:

• $325 million for the Weatherization Assistance Program to help the families who face the highest energy burdens make energy efficiency upgrades and access a lifetime of savings on energy costs, including $21 million to establish a new Weatherization Readiness Fund. Additionally, $121 million for State Energy Program grants, including $25 million for energy and air quality upgrades at schools.
• $530 million for the Buildings Technologies Office to develop innovative solutions for helping U.S. consumers and businesses achieve peak energy efficiency performance, including $50 million for Grid-interactive Efficient Buildings which are connected, smart, and flexible.
• $800 million for the Advanced Manufacturing Office to enable the research and development of industrial energy efficiency and advanced manufacturing technologies.
• $56 million at least for the Federal Energy Management Program to help the federal government, the nation’s largest energy user, deploy efficiency solutions at its facilities and help save taxpayer money on energy bills.

In support of the essential role of the ENERGY STAR program, 75 organizations on Wednesday signed a letter led by the Alliance reiterating the importance of doubling EPA’s ENERGY STAR program – even more organizations than an original request issued earlier this spring.

“With a shoestring budget of less than $40 million, ENERGY STAR in 2019 alone saved American consumers and businesses $39 billion in energy costs. It also supports 800,000 jobs,” said Glover. “As we look to Build Back Better with a cleaner economy, let’s start with what clearly works and double this impact. Since the ENERGY STAR program began in 1992, it has accounted for more than 4 billion metric tons of greenhouse gas reductions, equivalent to removing 870 million cars from the road. Doubling down will help the nation collectively achieve the Biden administration’s ambitious goal of reducing emissions 50% by 2030.”

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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