SHAHEEN: WE CAN STRENGTHEN ECONOMY AND CREATE JOBS TODAY BY INVESTING IN ENERGY EFFICIENCY

U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) toured J-PAC’s manufacturing facilities in Somersworth with J-PAC CEO Richard Eagling to outline the potential job growth and consumer savings in her bipartisan energy efficiency legislation on August 8.

(Somersworth, NH) –Energy efficiency is an effective, affordable way for businesses to cut costs and create jobs, U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) said today during a tour of J-PAC in Somersworth. Shaheen’s bill, the Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act of 2011, was recently passed by the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources with strong bipartisan support.

“Rising energy prices and a shortage of jobs are still major concerns that affect many Americans,” said Shaheen, a member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. “With families and businesses across the country tightening their belts, we can help save money and stimulate our economy through energy efficiency. When we make it easier for manufacturers to utilize existing energy efficient technology, we make it easier for them to cut costs, hire new workers, and increase economic competitiveness.”

J-PAC provides contract manufacturing services for the medical device and pharmaceutical industries. In the past year, the company has cut its energy costs by an estimated $11,000 by installing energy efficient lighting in its machinery manufacturing facility.

J-PAC officials are hoping to install the next phase of upgrades to their entire facility, which they estimate would generate $35,000 in annual savings, and believe that the Manufacturing Revolving Loan Fund in Shaheen’s bill would give them the financing and incentive to fund these measures.

“I would like to thank Senator Shaheen for visiting J-PAC and for her work in promoting energy efficiency,” said Richard Eagling, President and CEO of J-PAC. “It is important for manufacturing companies because energy costs continue to increase as a proportion of the overall cost structure. These initiatives will reverse that trend and will help companies like ours finance the energy upgrades needed to stimulate growth and create more manufacturing jobs.”

Shaheen’s bill would establish a national energy efficiency strategy and promote the use of energy efficient technologies like those J-PAC is hoping to install.  The bipartisan approach is effective, affordable, and relies upon existing off-the-shelf technology.

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, better building standards, and smart metering technology.

Introduced with Senator Rob Portman (R-Ohio), the legislation has garnered support from a wide range of businesses, trade associations, and efficiency advocates.