Washington, DC—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 that contribute to climate change. 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.
Steve Nadel, Executive Director, American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE):
“We commend 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 and reducing emissions. Energy efficiency is the cheapest, fastest way to address climate change, as indicated by the broad coalition of support from stakeholders, unions, and industry. The bill creates an Energy Efficiency Resource Standard to be administered by the states with staggering impact: saving 128 quadrillion Btu of energy (quads) over more than 25 years (which is more energy than the US uses in a year), reducing carbon dioxide emissions by more than 6 billion metric tons (more than the total US emissions in a year), and eventually resulting in 400,000 added jobs.”
Read the coalition letter of support here.
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The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy acts as a catalyst to advance energy efficiency policies, programs, technologies, investments, and behaviors.
ACEEE’s independent research and advocacy depend on the support of foundations, businesses, and individuals committed to a cleaner, more affordable energy future for all Americans.