Shaheen-Alexander Bill to Promote Innovation, Energy Efficiency & Economic Competitiveness of American Manufacturers Clears Key Committee Hurdle

**Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Also Ushers Through Numerous Legislative Priorities Championed by Shaheen**

(Washington, DC) – Today, U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen’s (D-NH) bipartisan legislation with Senator Lamar Alexander (R-TN) – the Smart Manufacturing Leadership Act – passed the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources (ENR). The ENR Senate Committee also passed a number of other Shaheen’s bipartisan legislative priorities, including the Federal Energy and Water Management Performance Act, the Streamlining Energy Efficiency in Schools Act, the Weatherization Enhancement and Local Energy Efficiency Investment and Accountability Act and the Energy Savings Through Public-Private Partnership Act.

The Shaheen-Alexander bill would assist small- and medium-sized American manufacturers in adopting what’s known as “smart manufacturing technologies.” Smart manufacturing combines information, technology and innovation, allowing companies to make real-time management decisions regarding productivity, energy and costs. These advanced technologies are transforming the manufacturing sector, but due to a lack of staff resources, expertise and capital constraints, they have only been implemented mostly by large manufacturing facilities. 

“I’m very encouraged to see the Senate Energy and Resources Committee work in a bipartisan manner to usher this group of energy efficiency legislation forward, particularly my bipartisan bill with Senator Alexander to deliver critical resources to New Hampshire businesses to invest in high-tech manufacturing,” said Shaheen. “Empowering our small- and medium-sized businesses with the tools they need to adopt smart manufacturing technologies and expand their businesses will continue to be a top priority, and I’ll keep working across the aisle to get this legislation over the finish line.”

The Federal Energy and Water Management Performance Act, which Shaheen worked with Senators Murkowski (R-AK) and Manchin (D-WV) to introduce, would formally authorize the Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) and establish energy and water usage reduction goals for federal buildings. The Streamlining Energy Efficiency in Schools Act – which Shaheen introduced with Senators Collins (R-ME), Warner (D-VA), Portman (R-OH) and Merkley (D-WA) – would help streamline federal energy efficiency programs and financing to invest in energy efficiency and reduce energy costs for schools. Senator Shaheen worked with Senators Gardner (R-CO) and Coons (D-DE) on the Energy Savings Through Public-Private Partnership Act, which would encourage the use of Energy Savings Performance Contracts (ESPCs) and Utility Energy Savings Contracts (UESCs) in federal buildings.

The bills now move to the full Senate for consideration.