Senate Committee Bill
Begins Moving U.S. Energy Policy In Right Direction
May 20, 2005 — By Alliance to Save Energy
WASHINGTON, DC — "Today the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee
began taking U.S. energy policy in the right direction by giving more prominence
to energy efficiency," Alliance to Save Energy President Kateri Callahan
observed following completion of committee action on its bill's efficiency
title.
"We commend the committee for going beyond both last year's conference
report and the new House energy bill and adopting policies that will begin to
tackle the supply and price problems that are plaguing consumers, business,
industry, and governments alike and having a negative impact on financial
markets and the U.S.economy,"Callahan added.
Notable among the bill's energy-saving features are provisions directing the
president to save a million barrels of oil a day by 2015 and permanently
authorizing Energy Saving Performance Contracts (ESPCs), which allow private
financing of energy improvements to federal buildings.
"We are particularly pleased that the Senate bill incorporates the
Alliance's 'Vision 2010' provisions creating a $25-million-a-year federal fund
to support states that achieve high rates of compliance with building energy
codes, authorizing state pilot programs aimed at reducing demand for electricity
and natural gas, and authorizing a federal study of state and regional policies,
such as performance standards and public benefits funds, that promote
cost-effective energy efficiency,"Callahan said.
"In the area of appliance and equipment standards, we are pleased that the
Senate Committee bill goes beyond the House-passed H.R. 6, adding standards for
commercial refrigerators and freezers, commercial packaged air conditioners,
commercial coin-operated clothes washers, dehumidifiers, commercial ice makers,
pedestrian signals, and pre-rinse spray valves. Such efficiency standards 'lock
in' savings for the decades-long life of major appliances and equipment and
continually move the marketplace toward products that yield greater energy
savings," Callahan said.
The Alliance to Save Energy is a coalition of prominent business, government,
environmental, and consumer leaders who promote the efficient and clean use of
energy worldwide to benefit consumers, the environment, economy, and national
security.
For further information:
Ronnie Kweller
Senior Media Relations Manager
Alliance to Save Energy
(202) 530-2203 (O); (202) 276-9327 (C)
rkweller@ase.org
www.ase.org