SHAHEEN VISITS FLEXENERGY IN PORTSMOUTH TO DISCUSS ENERGY EFFICIENCY

(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) outlined the potential job growth and consumer savings in her new bipartisan energy efficiency legislation during a tour of FlexEnergy Inc. in Portsmouth today. The Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act of 2011 would establish a national energy efficiency strategy and create jobs at energy technology companies like FlexEnergy.

“Our economy is turning the corner, but for many Americans there are still major concerns about rising energy costs and a shortage of jobs. We can tackle both of these issues head on through energy efficiency,” said Shaheen, a member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. “Energy efficiency is affordable, it is effective, and it uses existing technology that is produced right here in New Hampshire at companies like FlexEnergy. I appreciate the support that FlexEnergy, and so many in the business community, have voiced for my bipartisan legislation.”

“FlexEnergy is honored to have Senator Jeanne Shaheen in our Portsmouth office to announce her groundbreaking national energy efficiency bill” said Joe Perry, CEO of FlexEnergy Inc. “Her support and legislation is what enables clean tech companies in the U.S. like FlexEnergy to be competitive in the marketplace, create jobs, and build cleaner environments.”

With manufacturing facilities in Portsmouth, FlexEnergy manufactures micro-turbines that can use landfill or natural gas to generate energy and significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions.  The company employs more than 100 people, half of whom work in New Hampshire, and is committed to further job growth in the state.

The Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act of 2011 introduced by Sens. Shaheen and Rob Portman (R-OH),  contains a broad package of low-cost tools that would reduce barriers for businesses, homeowners and consumers looking to adopt off-the-shelf energy efficiency technologies that will save them money. With a host of mature technologies already in widespread use — such as better insulation, computer-controlled thermostats, and more efficient electric motors — energy efficiency is the cheapest and fastest approach available to improving our nation’s energy infrastructure and our economy’s energy independence.

U.S. commercial and residential buildings combined consume 40 percent of all energy used, while the U.S. industrial sector consumes more energy than any other sector of our economy. The federal government is the largest single energy consumer in the country.  The Shaheen-Portman bill targets efficiencies in all three areas at relatively low cost. The legislation embraces a bipartisan approach that includes many widely supported approaches to enabling private investment.  Industry partners have voiced support for the legislation, including the Alliance to Save Energy, a diverse coalition of businesses, government agencies, and advocates for energy efficiency.

Some highlights of the legislation include:

• Boosts private sector investment in building efficiency upgrades by expanding the Department of Energy (DOE) Loan Guarantee program.
• Helps manufacturers reduce energy use and become more competitive by working with states to establish a revolving loan program to help finance efficiency upgrades.
• Provides standards on outdoor lighting, residential heating and cooling systems, residential appliances, and other appliance products based on agreements between manufacturers and efficiency advocates.
• Works with states to strengthen national model building codes, to make new homes and commercial buildings more energy efficient.
• Requires the federal government – the single largest energy user in the country -- to adopt energy saving techniques for computers, saving energy and taxpayer dollars, and adopt better building standards and smart metering technology.

The bill is S. 1000.