Statement of Steve Nadel, executive director of the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE)
(January 8, 2020) – US House members unveiled a bold and necessary new plan today that could go a long way toward addressing climate change. The House Energy and Commerce Committee’s leadership announced the CLEAN Future Act, the first broad committee climate bill in 10 years. It aims to create a 100% clean economy by 2050 and, to help get there, calls for greater energy efficiency in transportation, buildings, industry, and utilities. Reducing energy waste is the cheapest, fastest way to reduce emissions while also saving consumers money.
Through months of stakeholder outreach, Committee Chairman Frank Pallone, D-N.J., crafted a strong proposal with important efficiency provisions, including: annual updates to emissions standards for cars and trucks, building codes for zero energy ready homes and commercial buildings, a “buy clean” requirement for industrial products purchased with federal funds, stronger appliance standards, home energy retrofits, electric vehicle infrastructure, low-income efficiency programs, a climate bank, and required state climate plans that should use utility efficiency programs to lower emissions. We will continue to work with the Committee to enhance the use of energy efficiency to further strengthen this promising draft plan.
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