SHAHEEN-PORTMAN ENERGY EFFICIENCY BILL PASSES SENATE ENERGY COMMITTEE WITH STRONG BIPARTISAN SUPPORT

(Washington, DC) – Just a few short weeks after its introduction, the energy efficiency and job creation strategy proposed by Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Rob Portman (R-OH) today passed the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, of which Portman is a member, with strong bipartisan support. The Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act passed by a vote of 19-3, with support from both parties, including Chairman Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Ranking Member Lisa Murkowski (R-AK). 

“At a time when bipartisan agreement is unfortunately hard to come by, it is clear that energy efficiency is one area where we can all find common ground,” said Shaheen and Portman.  “With energy efficiency, we have the cleanest, fastest, and most cost-efficient way to strengthen our economy and create American jobs, while also addressing our nation’s energy challenges.  This bill has bipartisan appeal and brings business, labor, and environmental advocates together, a testament to the clear benefits we can bring to our economy and environment.  The tremendous support we have received thus far is certainly encouraging, and we are confident this momentum will continue to build and will quickly bring this bill to the Senate floor for consideration.”

The Shaheen-Portman legislation 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, which builds upon the earlier Congressional support for energy efficiency legislation, uses a variety of low-cost tools to reduce barriers for private sector energy users and will drive adoption of off-the-shelf efficiency technologies among the largest energy consumers.  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