SHAHEEN CALLS FOR BIPARTISAN, BICAMERAL ACTION ON ENERGY EFFICIENCY AT HOUSE ENERGY AND COMMERCE SUBCOMMITTEE

(Washington, D.C.)  - U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) testified before the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Energy Power today to provide expert insight into energy efficiency policy and renew her call for bipartisan, bicameral action on the issue which will help create jobs and save businesses and consumers money. Shaheen, who coauthored the bipartisan Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act (S.1000) with Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH), is a recognized leader in energy efficiency policy.  The full text of Shaheen’s testimony as prepared for delivery can be viewed here.  

“There is an obvious need for a comprehensive national energy policy, and by pursuing energy efficiency we have an opportunity to foster and spur economic growth,” Shaheen said. “It’s the fastest and most cost-efficient way to improve our country’s infrastructure and pursue energy independence.”

“These are ideas that already enjoy bipartisan, bicameral and multi-sector backing and I’m encouraged by the support Shaheen-Portman saw in the last Congress. I am committed to building off of the successes from last Congress and pushing forward with more policies that will reduce the barriers to energy efficiency investments, maximize private sector job growth, and protect our environment.”

The Shaheen-Portman legislation cleared the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee last year, enjoying bipartisan support and more than 200 endorsements from a wide range of businesses, environmental groups, think tanks and trade associations -- from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the National Association of Manufactures (NAM) to the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). Several provisions of the legislation, which focus on industrial and federal agency efficiency, were signed into law in December. Shaheen and Portman plan to introduce new energy efficiency legislation in the near future.