SHAHEEN ANNOUNCES GROWING BUSINESS SUPPORT FOR ENERGY EFFICIENCY BILL

(Washington, DC) – In a sign of increasing support among the business community for her recently introduced energy efficiency package, U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) announced today that a coalition of 50 businesses, trade associations, and advocacy groups have signed a letter backing the bill.  The Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act of 2011 (S. 1000), which Shaheen introduced with Senator Rob Portman (R-OH), would enact a national energy efficiency strategy designed to promote job growth and keep our economy competitive using existing technology.

“As Americans grapple with rising energy prices and lingering unemployment, energy efficiency is an affordable, effective way to move our economy forward and address our energy challenges,” said Shaheen, a member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.  “Companies recognize that this legislation will help them save money, make them more competitive, allow them to hire more workers, and boost their bottom line.  I appreciate their support as we work toward a U.S. economy that is both more energy efficient and more prosperous.”

“We commend Senators Shaheen and Portman for their work on the Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act,” said George Biltz, vice president of energy and climate change at Dow Chemical.  “As a leader in this field, Dow feels very strongly about the benefits of energy efficiency.  It's simply the easiest, quickest, and often most affordable way to extend our nation's energy supplies, create jobs, and improve America's manufacturing competitiveness.”

“We are encouraged by Senator Shaheen's and Senator Portman's commitment to accelerating investments in innovative products and services that can help businesses and homeowners enhance their energy efficiency,” said John W. Conover IV, chairman of Ingersoll Rand's Sustainability Advisory Council and senior vice president. “This bipartisan bill acknowledges advanced energy-efficiency technologies that we have made our core focus.  We look forward to working with Congress to optimize the benefits for businesses and consumers.”

“Federal, state, and local budgets are as tight as they have ever been, but energy-efficient products and solutions that will be advanced through this important piece of legislation can help government, industry, and consumers save energy and millions of dollars, create jobs, and spur competitiveness,” said Eric Spiegel, president and CEO of Siemens Corp.

“Panasonic is pleased to support the Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act of 2011,” said Peter M. Fannon, vice president for corporate and government affairs for Panasonic Corporation of North America.  “Senators Shaheen and Portman’s commitment to advancing energy efficiency complements Panasonic’s objective to become the number one Green Innovation Electronics Company by 2018, our 100^th anniversary.  This bill supports more rapid investment in energy efficiency technologies and will help to encourage and promote consumer awareness and use of energy-efficient products—the fastest way for America to achieve energy efficiency gains.”

The Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act of 2011 contains a broad package of low-cost tools that would reduce barriers for businesses, homeowners, and consumers looking to adopt off-the-shelf energy efficiency technologies that will save them money.  With a host of mature technologies already in widespread use — such as better insulation, computer-controlled thermostats, and more efficient electric motors — energy efficiency is the cheapest and fastest approach available to improving our nation’s energy infrastructure and our economy’s energy independence.

For more information about the bill, please visit the “Energy Efficiency” section of Senator Shaheen’s website here.

For the full text of the letter, please click here.