Shaheen, Collins Laud Passage of Bipartisan Resolution to Designate Energy Efficiency Day
(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Susan Collins (R-ME) announced their bipartisan resolution to designate October 4, 2023, as “Energy Efficiency Day” passed the Senate unanimously. The resolution celebrates and promotes the economic and environmental benefits gained from investing in energy efficiency.
“Investing in energy efficiency programs and incorporating these efforts in our infrastructure helps to not only lower costs for families, but reduces our carbon footprint,” said Senator Shaheen. “I’m proud to lead this bipartisan resolution to recognize Energy Efficiency Day and the key role it has in creating jobs, growing our economy and protecting our planet.”
“The adoption of energy efficient practices saves consumers in Maine and across the country money,” said Senator Collins. “This resolution is an important reminder of the significant advancements we have made in energy efficiency over the past decade, most recently through bipartisan infrastructure law.”
Resolution text is available here.
The resolution is co-sponsored by Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Benjamin Cardin (D-MD), Christopher Coons (D-DE), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Angus King (I-ME), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Joe Manchin (D-WV), Edward Markey (D-MA), Jack Reed (D-RI), Tina Smith (D-MN), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Mark Warner (D-VA), Peter Welch (D-VT) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI).
Senator Shaheen has long worked to secure federal investments in energy efficiency initiatives. Shaheen was a key supporter of the Inflation Reduction Act, which included provisions for clean energy and climate investments in New Hampshire. Senators Shaheen and Collins were lead negotiators of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), which provided a $550 billion investment in our nation’s core infrastructure priorities – including roads and bridges, rail, transit, ports, airports, the electric grid, water systems and broadband. Shaheen successfully included key provisions of her energy efficiency bill – the Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act (ESIC) – with Senator Rob Portman (R-OH) in the IIJA, which Senator Collins cosponsored.
Last month, Shaheen celebrated the announcement that the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) opened applications for $400 million in federal funding to help states and territories adopt and implement building energy codes that reduce utility bills, increase efficiency, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and make buildings more resilient to climate disasters.
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