SHAHEEN INTRODUCES LEGISLATION TO SPUR EFFICIENT ENERGY PRODUCTION

(WASHINGTON, DC) – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) today introduced the Heat Efficiency through Applied Technology (HEAT) Act, legislation that would address the major regulatory barriers hampering the deployment of heat recovery technologies, such as combined heat and power (CHP) and waste heat to power (WHP).  By making efficient use of energy that would otherwise be wasted, CHP and WHP reduce operating costs for facilities like hospitals, universities and manufacturing plants.  

“Deploying these efficient energy production technologies will save money, create jobs and reduce pollution,” Shaheen said. “It’s important that rules regarding energy generation keep pace with new advancements in efficient technology. Combined heat power and waste heat to power have tremendous potential for facilities around the country and we should be doing everything we can to spur their use.”

Combined heat and power is an efficient technology that allows a facility to generate its own electricity and thermal energy, and does so from a single fuel source.

Waste heat to power is an efficient technology that captures heat from an industrial process and using that heat to generate power.

Senator Shaheen’s legislation would establish a federal framework to help states develop solutions for meeting growing energy demands efficiently and economically through the use of CHP and WHP technologies.  The hurdles for CHP and WHP include complicated procedures for their interconnection to the grid, high rates and fees incurred from utilities and air emission standards that do not encourage the efficient use of fuel.  Specifically, the HEAT Act would:

• Direct the Department of Energy along with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to establish model best-practices that address regulatory barriers to CHP and WHP. States would be encouraged, but not required to adopt these best practices.

• Create a targeted, voluntary grant program to help states implement the most recent Environmental Protection Agency guidance on output based emission standards, which encourages the efficient use of fuel through CHP and WHP.