Finally: a (relatively) small bill that could make a huge difference. And all of a sudden, because of the delay in a vote on Syria, it is on the Senate floor right now. I’m calling it the New Energy Bill, because its real name is a mouthful: The Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act (S. 761). The first major energy bill since 2007, the New Energy Bill is being sponsored by Senator Jeanne Shaheen, a Democrat from New Hampshire, and Senator Rob Portman, a Republican from Ohio. It is all about saving energy—and saving money. It speaks to those good, old-fashioned values of thrift and respect for precious resources. The New Energy Bill will:
- Require cuts in government and industrial energy waste
- Help homeowners finance energy efficiency improvements
- Save consumers and businesses over $65 billion on energy bills by 2030
- Create new jobs in the United States
- Prevent unnecessary electric generation and natural gas consumption
- Cut greenhouse gas emissions
- Promote research and development of energy-efficient technologies.
Ever wonder about the connection between, say, your window—and climate change? An energy efficient window keeps heat and cool air inside—so we use less energy. That lowers bills. We burn fewer fossil fuels—and that means we decrease the greenhouse gas emissions that are disrupting our climate.
The fight against greenhouse gas pollution is a tough one. There isn’t one magic bullet that stops global warming. Instead, we have to chug our way through. This energy bill is like the Little Engine That Could—remember that? “I think I can, I think I can.” This bipartisan bill is reason for optimism. We can unite around values of efficiency, and find solutions to our climate problems—right in our own homes.
Please tell your Senator: We think you can! You can pass this New Energy Bill, and usher in an era of energy efficiency that is a win-win for all of us. And please– keep the bill clean and free of amendments that would weaken it!