Today the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee began taking U.S. energy policy in the right direction by giving more prominence to energy efficiency, including an oil-saving provision and permanent authorization of the Energy Saving Performance Contracts (ESPC) program.

Washington, D.C., May 19, 2005 - "Today the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee began taking U.S. energy policy in the right direction by giving more prominence to energy efficiency," Alliance to Save Energy President Kateri Callahan observed following completion of committee action on its bill's efficiency title.

"We commend the committee for going beyond both last year's conference report and the new House energy bill and adopting policies that will begin to tackle the supply and price problems that are plaguing consumers, business, industry, and governments alike and having a negative impact on financial markets and the U.S.economy," Callahan added.

Notable among the bill's energy-saving features are provisions directing the president to save a million barrels of oil a day by 2015 and permanently authorizing Energy Saving Performance Contracts (ESPCs), which allow private financing of energy improvements to federal buildings.

"We are particularly pleased that the Senate bill incorporates the Alliance's 'Vision 2010' provisions creating a $25-million-a-year federal fund to support states that achieve high rates of compliance with building energy codes, authorizing state pilot programs aimed at reducing demand for electricity and natural gas, and authorizing a federal study of state and regional policies, such as performance standards and public benefits funds, that promote cost-effective energy efficiency," Callahan said.

"In the area of appliance and equipment standards, we are pleased that the Senate Committee bill goes beyond the House-passed H.R. 6, adding standards for commercial refrigerators and freezers, commercial packaged air conditioners, commercial coin-operated clothes washers, dehumidifiers, commercial ice makers, pedestrian signals, and pre-rinse spray valves. Such efficiency standards 'lock in' savings for the decades-long life of major appliances and equipment and continually move the marketplace toward products that yield greater energy savings," Callahan said.

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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, economy, and national security.