A new energy-efficiency bill introduced this week, with strong bipartisan support in the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate and welcomed by business and conservation groups, would provide consumers and businesses relief from volatile energy prices and curb global warming pollution.
The EXTEND the Energy Efficiency Incentives Act of 2007 enhances and extends the energy efficiency and solar energy tax incentives enacted in the Energy Policy Act of 2005.
The Senate EXTEND Act is sponsored by Sen. Snowe (R-Maine), and cosponsored by Sens. Feinstein (D-Calif.), Kerry (D-Mass.), Bunning (R-KY), Bingaman (D-N.M.), Salazar (D-Colo.), Coleman (R-Minn.), Smith (R-Ore.), Allard (R-Colo.), and Cornyn (R-TX). The House EXTEND Act is sponsored by Rep. McDermott and cosponsored by Reps. Markey (D-Mass.) and Weller (R-Ill.).
The broad coalition of groups supporting the new bill includes: Alliance to Save Energy, Polyisocyanurate Insulation Manufacturers Association (PIMA), Portland General Electric, Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET), Real Estate Roundtable, Retail Industry Leaders Association, Sacramento Municipal Utility District, and Sierra Club.American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy, Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) International, The Dow Chemical Company, DuPont, Exelon, Edison Electric Institute, National Association of State Energy Officials, National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA), the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), North American Insulation Manufacturers Association, Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E),
“Energy efficiency is the quickest, cheapest and cleanest way to bring down natural gas prices while curbing global warming pollution,” said Jim Presswood, Energy Advocate at NRDC. “The EXTEND Act creates a market structure that will reduce prices and decrease the need to build more polluting power plants.”
“In order for American consumers, businesses, and the nation’s economy and energy security to benefit fully from the landmark energy-efficiency tax incentives in the 2005 Energy Policy Act, those provisions must be in place long enough to transform the market. By extending and improving the tax incentives for energy-efficiency, this bill will ensure that our national investment fosters development of a long-term and sustainable market for energy-efficient building products and efficient building design,” said Kateri Callahan, President of the Alliance to Save Energy.
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