Some aspects of energy efficiency policy, such as Appliance Standards, have long been driven from the top-down by national policies. Other aspects such as Building Energy Codes have national models but are only recently being strongly driven by national policy. Yet other policies that have a long history of success at the state level, such as Energy Efficiency Resource Standards, have not been mandated at the national level yet but have been proposed as part of bills currently being considered in Congress. National energy policy is quickly becoming an important driver of energy efficiency in the Midwest region and throughout the country.
National Energy Policy Proposals
The following overview of national energy policy comes from our colleagues at the Alliance to Save Energy:
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Two measures have been approved by the Senate Energy Committee and have a strong likelihood of passing with bipartisan support:
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A bill (S. 1000) authored by Sens. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) and Rob Portman (R-Ohio) that would implement several energy efficiency measures to lower energy costs and create jobs in the commercial, residential and industrial sectors.
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A proposal (S. 398) sponsored by Sens. Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) that would enact consensus appliance efficiency standards developed by manufacturers, efficiency advocates, states and consumer groups.
The Alliance says that, "as a package, the Shaheen-Portman bill and the appliance standards measure would save billions of dollars in energy costs over the next two decades, as well as provide tens of thousands of jobs by facilitating the production and deployment of domestic energy efficiency technologies. Moreover, these legislative initiatives could serve as a vehicle to attach other efficiency proposals or act as the catalyst for further consideration or action on them. "
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There are several additional energy efficiency proposals that have potential to get attached to the larger package:
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Introduced by Sens. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) and Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.), the SAVE Act (S. 1737) would help recognize the value of efficiency in mortgage caps.
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From Reps. Nan Hayworth (R-N.Y.) and Mike Thompson (D-Calif.), the PACE Protection Act (H.R. 2599) would enable local governments to finance home energy efficiency projects with repayment through property taxes.
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And there are a few more bills that would help monitor energy usage and provide new incentives:
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Sponsored by Sens. Mark Udall (D-Colo.) and Scott Brown (R-Mass.), e-KNOW (S. 1029) would require utilities to provide customers and other third parties with their energy usage information.
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Sens. Olympia Snowe (R-Maine), Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.) and Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) proposed a performance-based tax credit for deep home retrofits: Cut Energy Bills at Home Act (S. 1914).
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Reps. Tom Reed (R-N.Y.) and Bill Pascrell (D-N.J.) in the House, and Sens. Ben Cardin (D-Md.) and Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) in the Senate have a bill that would incentivize energy-efficient commercial roof replacements:Roofing Efficiency Jobs Act (H.R. 2962/S. 1575).
The Alliance has a full list of energy efficiency initiatives being considered under the 112th Congress.
