SHAHEEN STATEMENT ON PRESIDENT’S EFFICIENCY INITIATIVE

(Washington, D.C.) - U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), a member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, released the following statement today in response to the President's announcement of his Better Building Initiative.

"I'm glad to hear the President's new commitment to increasing energy efficiency in commercial and public buildings. Increased energy efficiency is the cheapest and easiest first step towards energy independence, and we can and should do it now. I've called for similar energy efficiency improvements in commercial and municipal buildings in past legislation, and I look forward to seeing the President's proposals as I prepare comprehensive energy efficiency legislation for this Congress."

Shaheen introduced the Recovery Through Building Renovation Act (S.3780 in the 111th Congress) last year, which would expand the Department of Energy Loan Guarantee Program to include commercial, industrial and public building efficiency upgrades.