Unanimous Vote Proves that Energy Efficiency is Bipartisan Winner
The Alliance to Save Energy News
Unanimous Vote Proves that Energy Efficiency is Bipartisan Winner
A Statement From Alliance to Save Energy President Kateri Callahan
"If there is one thing lawmakers from both sides of the aisle can agree upon, it’s that energy efficiency is a good thing. It’s good for our economy, good for consumers and businesses and good for our environment. Working until the early hours of the morning, the Senate today unanimously passed S. 535, a small but important package projected to yield roughly $4.6 billion in annual energy savings by 2030, all while creating new jobs and significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Notably, these benefits will be realized with little cost to taxpayers and no government mandates.
"S. 535 will deliver these benefits to America by reducing energy use from the built environment, which is the largest-consuming energy sector in our economy; encouraging energy efficiency practices in leased spaces; allowing the use of grid-enabled water heaters for demand response programs and spurring the benchmarking of energy usage in commercial buildings.
"The Alliance applauds the tireless commitment of the bill’s sponsors, our Honorary Chair Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Vice-Chair Senator Rob Portman (R-OH) who have fought for months for the passage of this bill. A similar bill passed through the House last year with well over two thirds voting in favor. The Alliance has high hopes that our nation’s leaders will now take this bill all the way to the President’s desk.
"As we look forward to potential comprehensive energy legislation, the Alliance believes the passage of S. 535 marks the start of a season of bipartisan cooperation on energy efficiency policies that will strengthen the U.S. economy, create jobs, enhance our environment and increase our energy security."
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Help the Alliance advocate for policies to use energy more efficiently – supporting job creation, reduced emissions, and lower costs. Contact your member of Congress.
Energy efficiency is smart, nonpartisan, and practical. So are we. Our strength comes from an unparalleled group of Alliance Associates working collaboratively under the Alliance umbrella to pave the way for energy efficiency gains.
The power of efficiency is in your hands. Supporting the Alliance means supporting a vision for using energy more productively to achieve economic growth, a cleaner environment, and greater energy security, affordability, and reliability.