House Approves Gordon Amendment For Federal Energy Efficiency
The U.S. House of Representatives approved an amendment offered by House Science Committee Ranking Member Rep. Bart Gordon (D-TN) that would save more than $200 million a year by making the Federal Government a leader in energy efficiency.
"The Federal Government needs to set an example for the American people," said Gordon. "Despite the high cost of energy and existing laws requiring increased conservation and energy efficiency, Federal agencies still do not make this issue a priority. How can we expect consumers and businesses to make sacrifices and commit to energy conservation when the Federal Government fails to make it a priority for itself?"
Gordon’s amendment to an appropriations bill for the U.S. Department of the Interior passed the House Thursday (May 18). The bill now goes to the Senate for consideration.
The amendment requires agencies funded by the bill, such as the Interior Department and Environmental Protection Agency, to meet requirements in existing law when using funds from the appropriations bill to construct, lease or refurbish any building.
Current requirements direct the Federal Government to reduce energy consumption by two percent per year through 2015, use energy efficient equipment and building materials, switch from petroleum to natural gas and renewable energy resources, install metering to measure energy usage, and reduce water consumption.
The Federal Government wasted almost $500 million in the last two years by not meeting energy efficiency requirements. The waste equals the amount of energy used annually in 198,000 households.
"The amount of energy the government wastes could light all the homes in my Tennessee Congressional District for an entire year," said Gordon. "These relatively simple steps in building design and performance, combined with the usage of energy efficient products, will contribute to substantial savings in the Federal sector. And that means cleaner air, cleaner water, and in a time of soaring energy costs, keeping money in taxpayers pockets."
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