Finally: a (relatively) small bill that could make a huge difference. And all of a sudden, because of the delay in a vote on Syria, it is on the Senate floor right now.
I'm calling it the New Energy Bill, because its real name is a mouthful: The Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act (S. 761).
The first major energy bill since 2007, the New Energy Bill is being sponsored by Senator Jeanne Shaheen, a Democrat from New Hampshire, and Senator Rob Portman, a Republican from Ohio. It is all about saving energy -- and saving money. It speaks to those good, old-fashioned values of thrift and respect for precious resources.
The New Energy Bill will:
- Require cuts in government and industrial energy waste
- Help homeowners finance energy efficiency improvements
- Save consumers and businesses over $65 billion on energy bills by 2030
- Create new jobs in the United States
- Prevent unnecessary electric generation and natural gas consumption
- Cut greenhouse gas emissions
- Promote research and development of energy-efficient technologies.
Ever wonder about the connection between, say, your window -- and climate change? An energy-efficient window keeps heat and cool air inside -- so we use less energy. That lowers bills. We burn fewer fossil fuels -- and that means we decrease the greenhouse gas emissions that are disrupting our climate.
The fight against greenhouse gas pollution is a tough one. There isn't one magic bullet that stops global warming. Instead, we have to chug our way through. This energy bill is like the Little Engine That Could -- remember that? "I think I can, I think I can." This bipartisan bill is reason for optimism. We can unite around values of efficiency, and find solutions to our climate problems -- right in our own homes.
Please tell your senator: We think you can! You can pass this New Energy Bill, and usher in an era of energy efficiency that is a win-win for all of us. And please- keep the bill clean and free of amendments that would weaken it!