Legislation Aims to Increase Energy Efficiency in Federal Government and
Reduce Taxpayer Costs
July 12, 2012
The Subcommittees on Energy and Power and Oversight and Investigations
today discussed a draft of the “Smart Energy Act,” bipartisan
legislation authored by Reps. Charlie Bass (R-NH) and Jim Matheson
(D-UT) aimed at increasing energy efficiency in both the federal
government and private sector. The federal government is the largest
consumer of electricity and fuel in the United States. By optimizing
energy efficiency in the federal government, this legislation would
reduce federal energy consumption, potentially saving taxpayers millions
of dollars. Facilitating greater utilization of industrial energy
efficiency would reduce the energy costs of our nation’s manufacturers,
freeing up capital to expand operations, hire new employees, and better
compete globally.
“Today’s hearing furthered the ongoing discussion about how we can move
from focusing solely on the supply side of the energy debate to the
demand side as well. Improving energy efficiency is a clean and cheap
way to reduce our energy costs and holds tremendous potential for new
innovations and economic growth,” said Bass.
“I applaud Rep. Bass for his leadership in drafting the Smart Energy
Act. We can reduce energy consumption through energy efficiency and the
federal government can lead on that by example. This bill is a step in
that direction,” said Energy and Power Subcommittee Chairman Ed
Whitfield (R-KY).
Kathleen Hogan, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency at the
Department of Energy, testified about the current state of energy
efficiency efforts in the federal government. She said, “We are making
progress improving the efficiency of the nation's buildings, vehicles
and manufacturers, but there continues to be large opportunities in the
Federal sector and across the country that can help build jobs, save
energy, and protect our environment.”
Kateri
Callahan, President of the Alliance to Save Energy, praised the bill as
a commonsense solution for energy security and job creation. “At a time
when too many Americans are suffering financial hardships, energy
efficiency offers real solutions that would not only help alleviate
their economic pain, but also deal with the short- and long-term
problems associated with rising energy use,” said Callahan. “Besides
lowering energy expenses for those who implement efficiency measures,
energy efficiency reduces energy price pressure across the board,
creates jobs, lessens dependence on imported energy sources, reduces
pollution and its health and environmental impacts, improves America’s
global competitiveness, and alleviates stress to the electric grid and
water infrastructure.”
Mr. John Marrone, Vice President of Energy Initiatives at the Saint-Gobain
Corporation, testifying on behalf of the Industrial Energy Consumers of
America, discussed the economic benefits that accompany increases in
industrial energy efficiency. “Improving energy efficiency is an
excellent way to reduce costs,” said Marrone. “After losing about 5.5
million manufacturing jobs since 2000, due to loss of competitiveness
and recovering about 500,000 jobs since 2010, we have a long way to go.
We believe that improving energy efficiency is a solid winning policy
platform that will contribute to capital investment, emission reductions
and the increasing jobs that we all desire.”
