Today, Senator Tina Smith (D-Minnesota) introduced the American Energy Efficiency Act of 2019 with cosponsors Senator King (I-Maine) and Senator Merkley (D-Oregon). The bill sets a national energy efficiency resource standard (EERS), administered by the states, to lower utility bills for consumers and reduce emissions. EERS programs work by setting energy consumption reduction targets for electricity and natural gas, with targets slowly ratcheting up over time. Utilities meet these targets by offering efficiency programs to help their customers save energy, reduce waste, and save money. The Alliance signed on to letter of support with several other organizations.
The Alliance released the following statement of support:
“The Alliance for Industrial Efficiency, along with 22 other organizations, applauds Senators Tina Smith, Angus King, and Jeff Merkley for introducing the American Energy Efficiency Act of 2019, which would save consumers and businesses $150 billion dollars over 25 years of programs while saving energy,” said David Gardiner, Executive Director of the Alliance for Industrial Efficiency. “In particular, setting a national energy efficiency resource standard would help American manufacturers and other businesses stay competitive in a global economy by lowering energy costs and reducing emissions.”
Read the press release from Senator Smith.