SHAHEEN TOUTS ENERGY EFFICIENCY AT FAVORITE FOODS

(Somersworth, NH) – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), the co-author of the bipartisan Energy Savings and Industrial Competiveness Act, this morning toured the Somersworth facilities of Favorite Foods, a New Hampshire foodservice distributor, to discuss her energy efficiency legislation and learn how the company has reduced its energy consumption by using energy efficient technologies.  Favorite Foods has implemented several energy efficiency initiatives to cut their energy costs and would further benefit from the Shaheen-Portman legislation that was recently reintroduced with Senator Rob Portman (R-Ohio).

“Favorite Foods has created a tremendous model in energy efficiency and I want more companies to be able to follow their lead," Shaheen said.

“My legislation gives a roadmap to create and implement a national energy efficiency strategy throughout the residential, commercial and industrial sectors of our economy.  It has bipartisan appeal and brings business, labor and environmental advocates together, which I think underscores just how important this bill is,” Shaheen added. “With energy efficiency, we have the cleanest, fastest, most cost-efficient way to meet our energy needs and keep our economy competitive. I am hopeful the Senate will quickly move this bill forward."

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

“We were honored to host Senator Shaheen at our facility today,” said Chris Barstow, President and CEO of Favorite Foods.  “It gave us the opportunity to share with the Senator many of the energy savings initiatives that Favorite Foods has implemented in our business.  Having spent the time with Senator Shaheen today, it is evident that she and Favorite Foods are on the same page about the importance of local businesses consuming less energy, and benefiting their bottom line at the same time by using more efficient technologies.”