Diverse Groups Tell President and Congress Advance Energy Efficiency

WASHINGTON, May 20, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Alliance to Save Energy (the Alliance), the Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC), Business Roundtable (BRT), the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Institute for 21^st Century Energy (the Chamber) issued joint letters to the president and Congressional leaders today urging them to advance energy efficiency. 

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The letters were released by the representatives of the diverse groups during a press conference at the Alliance's EE Global Forum being held at the Washington Convention Center. Alliance President Kateri Callahan, BPC Senior Fellow and Strategic Energy Policy Initiative Co-Chair Byron Dorgan, BRT President John Engler, NAM Vice President of Energy and Resources Policy Ross Eisenberg, and President and CEO of the Chamber's Institute for 21^st Century Energy Karen Harbert discussed common ground on energy efficiency.

"We all agree that no one wants to waste energy, but this isn't really about us, it is really about Congress and the White House advancing efficiency in a way that benefits Americans," said the Alliance's Callahan. "The time is now. Let's start talking, let's start acting and let's show how efficiency works."

Congressional Pressure
In the letter to Congressional leadership, the organizations urged Congress to move energy efficiency legislation swiftly and without delay. In particular, they called for the adoption of the bill introduced last month by Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) and Rob Portman (R-Ohio). 

The groups write, "The Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act (S. 761/H.R. 1616), now working its way through Congress, enjoys strong, bipartisan support and should serve as the foundation for comprehensive national energy policy. There is no reason to wait. Start with energy efficiency and build from there."

Energy Efficiency from the Top
The White House letter encourages the Administration to maintain energy efficiency as a top priority in shaping energy policy for the country.

The letter states, "We write to encourage your Administration to highlight energy efficiency as an integral component of our overall national energy strategy.  The challenge of doubling the country's energy productivity by 2030, which you issued in the State of the Union address to the nation, is an ambitious but achievable goal, and one best met through deployment of energy efficiency."

Of the five organizations, the Alliance, BPC, BRT and NAM released recommendations earlier this year and the Chamber's Energy Institute is set to release new recommendations in June.  These recommendations speak to the need for greater energy productivity as a means of improving our national energy security, our economy and our environment.    

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, the economy and national security.

SOURCE Alliance to Save Energy