Senators Crapo, Warren Call For Energy Efficiency Study

Washington, D.C. - Today, Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Massachusetts) introduced a bipartisan amendment directing the U.S. Department of Energy to quantify the cost savings from operational energy efficiency technologies in an effort to increase public and private use of these technologies without creating any new programs or increasing government spending.  The amendment is being offered as part of the Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness ("ESIC") Act, introduced by Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-New Hampshire) and Rob Portman (R-Ohio). 

Today, a coalition of industry supporters, including the New England Energy Council, the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, the Alliance to Save Energy, and numerous companies that work on energy efficiency issues, sent a letter to Senate leadership urging that adoption of the amendment.

"Increasing our nation's energy efficiency must remain a high priority," said Senator Crapo.  "This amendment will help encourage greater industry participation by proving that the savings are real through an accurate cost-benefit analysis."

"Energy efficiency technologies not only help protect the environment, they save companies' and taxpayer money and create new jobs," said Senator Warren.  "I'm pleased to offer this bipartisan amendment with Senator Crapo to support important energy efficiency research and encourage the use of these technologies."

Operational energy efficiency technologies allow manufacturing and other facilities to monitor their energy use and operate at optimal efficiency.  The Department of Energy's quantification of energy and cost savings through this study will help encourage industry to embrace these cost-saving energy efficiency tools.  The amendment is a key piece of the ESIC, which would promote low-cost technologies to create jobs, lower pollution, save money, and make the country more energy efficient.

For additional information, visit these links:

·          Full text of the Warren-Crapo Amendment

·          Fact Sheet on the Warren-Crapo Amendment

·          Complete List of Industry Endorsements

·          Fact Sheet on Shaheen-Portman Energy Bill