This morning Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Rob Portman (R-OH) re-introduced the Shaheen-Portman Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness (ESIC) Act. The bipartisan legislation offers a deficit-neutral framework to promote the transition to a more energy efficient economy while driving economic growth and encouraging private sector job creation.
In case you missed it, here is what select industry leaders, energy efficiency advocates, and environmental stakeholders have to say in support of Shaheen-Portman:
“At the Alliance, we are so excited that Senator Shaheen and Portman have once again reached across that big political divide, and are putting the American people and our economy and our energy security ahead of politics. This country needs to become more energy productive; and the way to do that is through forward-leading policies to drive energy efficiency. They passed pieces of it in the last Congress, but the best is yet to come; and Senator Shaheen and Portman have put a bill together that will save Americans money, that will make our industry more efficient and more productive, that will create jobs, and that is going to improve our environment.”
--Kateri Callahan, President, Alliance to Save Energy
“Energy efficiency is a critical to our nation’s ability to succeed economically. This legislation will incentivize new technologies to lower costs for manufacturers. The innovation of energy efficient products can give manufacturers a critical advantage in an extremely competitive global market and will create jobs. It’s hard to find agreement on anything in Washington today, but we can all find common ground when it comes to saving energy. This bipartisan legislation from Senators Shaheen and Portman will enable the federal government and businesses to make further advances in energy efficiency.”
--Jay Timmons, President and CEO, National Association of Manufacturers (NAM)
“Senators Shaheen and Portman have written a strong bipartisan bill that would increase energy efficiency, save consumers money and help grow our economy. It’s legislation that Republicans and Democrats in Washington should be able to agree on, and we hope it moves forward without delay.”
--Gene Karpinski, President, League of Conservation Voters (LCV)
“The legislation comprises a number of initiatives with substantial benefits for our nation’s economy and environment. Using energy more efficiently ensures that Americans get more for less. In other words, for a given input of energy, consumers receive more services and industry produces more products. Many of the provisions in the Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act of 2013 would reduce costs for businesses and consumers, bolster U.S. competitiveness, and reduce environmental impacts.”
--Senators Trent Lott and Byron Dorgan, Co-Chairs of the Bipartisan Policy Center’s Strategic Energy Policy Initiative
“Owens Corning applauds the strong leadership of Senators Shaheen and Portman. Energy efficient buildings must be a cornerstone of National Energy Policy as the building sector remains the nation's single largest energy consumer. As the residential insulation market leader for over seven decades, we are keenly aware of the energy savings, environmental improvements, and job creation opportunities derived from strong energy efficient buildings policies and practices.”
--Julian Francis, Owens Corning Vice President & Managing Director, Residential Insulation Business
"Velcro USA Inc. is proud to be a leader in industrial energy efficiency. We are grateful to Senators Shaheen and Portman for their leadership in making sure energy efficiency initiatives are applicable, accessible, and affordable for manufacturing entities of all sizes. Moreover, we appreciate their focus on industrial energy efficiency as both good for the environment and good for the economy. We look forward to sharing our experiences in identifying and implementing energy efficiency projects with Congress as it considers this important legislation."
--Mark Sawitsky, Director of Technical Services, Velcro USA
“I’d like to congratulate Senators Shaheen and Portman for continuing this vital bipartisan effort. There is no greater return on investment to help achieve our country’s goals for a clean and secure energy future than to undertake energy efficiency on a national scale.”
--Evan Gaddis, President and CEO, National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA)
“The energy we don't use is the cheapest and cleanest there is. This bill takes important steps to seize some of the vast energy efficiency potential we have yet to tap as a nation so we use less and get more from our energy supply. Most important, Senators Shaheen and Portman's leadership reminds us that clean energy is not a partisan issue. That's a lesson we can all build on to do even more to give our children cleaner air and a stronger economy."
--Franz Matzner, Associate Director of Government Affairs, Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC)
“Insulation makers and suppliers applaud Senators Shaheen and Portman for their steadfast leadership in strengthening America’s commitment to energy efficiency. Senators Shaheen and Portman know that no matter how America gets its energy, it’s a tragedy to waste it. This legislation recognizes the emphasis that homeowners, business owners, and school systems place on making their buildings more energy efficient through envelope improvements and other technological upgrades. By taking aggressive but still fiscally responsible measures to improve energy efficiency, we can create jobs and help consumers and businesses cut back on costly utility bills.”
--Kate Offringa, CEO and President, Council of the North American Insulation Manufacturers Association (CNAIMA)
“We applaud Senators Shaheen and Portman for their leadership in advancing this important energy efficiency legislation, and their support for putting energy efficiency on a level footing with other clean energy technologies. As part of a comprehensive domestic energy strategy, boosting energy efficiency is one of the cheapest and quickest ways to help U.S. manufacturers be more competitive in global markets.”
--Michael Walls, Vice President of Regulatory and Technical Affairs, American Chemistry Council (ACC)
“The Business Council for Sustainable Energy applauds Senators Shaheen and Portman for their commitment to improving our nation's energy productivity by reintroducing the Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act in the 113th Congress. This legislation will help consumers, businesses, and industry save money on their energy bills so that money can be reinvested into the economy. From advanced insulation to smart thermostats to highly-efficient appliances, technologies exist today that can help reduce electric and gas utility bills, improve competitiveness, and modernize our production and use of energy. The Council is supportive of the bill’s broad focus on residential buildings, commercial buildings and industry.”
--Lisa Jacobson, President, Business Council for Sustainable Energy (BCSE)