SHAHEEN: NEW ENGLAND ENERGY EFFICIENCY INNOVATIONS ARE MODEL FOR COUNTRY

(Londonderry, NH) –  U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) met with business leaders and environmental advocates today in New England at the Coca Cola Bottling Co. of Northern New England and the New England Clean Energy Council and Google Clean Energy Conference to highlight the economic and environmental benefits of her bipartisan energy efficiency legislation, the Energy Savings and Industrial Competiveness Act.

Shaheen, who has been a leader on energy efficiency policy throughout her career and is the co-author of bipartisan energy efficiency legislation with Senator Rob Portman (R-OH), discussed how her bill would help companies in New Hampshire and across the country reduce energy use and create jobs.

“New Hampshire and the New England region have shown us how clean energy innovation can create jobs and immediately grow the economy,” Shaheen said. “By working closely and collaboratively, I’ve helped create a large, bipartisan and diverse group who is committed to enacting a national energy efficiency strategy, which is the cleanest, fastest, most affordable way to strengthen our economy and address our nation’s energy challenges.”

Shaheen toured the New England Coca Cola facility in Londonderry, seeing firsthand how the company has already benefited by implementing energy efficient technologies.  Shaheen then delivered the keynote remarks at the Accelerating Clean Energy Innovation and Investment in New England Conference before an audience of decision-makers from the entrepreneurial, investor, public sector, think tank and media communities. The conference focused on the rapid and innovative expansion of the New England clean-tech industry.

“The support and momentum we’ve seen for the Shaheen-Portman bill demonstrates how strong of an opportunity we have to pass bipartisan energy efficiency legislation,” Shaheen added.  “I’m hopeful we will see this legislation come to a vote in July.”

The Shaheen-Portman legislation builds upon several Shaheen-Portman energy provisions that were signed into law last year and offers a deficit-neutral framework designed to promote the transition to a more energy efficient economy while driving economic growth and encouraging private sector job creation.

The bipartisan bill passed through the Senate Energy Committee on a strong bipartisan vote of 19-3 and has received resounding support from a broad coalition of business, labor and environmental leaders.  A study by experts at the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy found that last year’s version would have saved consumers $4 billion by 2020 and helped businesses add 80,000 jobs to the economy.