Source: United States Senator for Ohio Rob Portman
July 19, 2021 | Press Releases
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senators Rob Portman (R-OH) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) highlighted passage of the Energy Infrastructure Act out of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee with a bipartisan vote last week, which included significant portions of their legislation, the Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness (ESIC) Act. These provisions will improve energy efficiency in buildings and the industrial sector, which will help reduce emissions, protect the environment, and create jobs.
“I am pleased that a significant number of provisions from my bipartisan Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness (ESIC) Act with Senator Shaheen were passed out of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee as part of the Energy Infrastructure Act,” said Portman. “These are common-sense measures that will increase energy efficiency and reduce emissions across the economy. We need a balanced approach to protecting our environment and reducing emissions, while also safeguarding our economy and jobs – our bipartisan efficiency legislation will accomplish just that. I look forward to continuing to make important progress on energy efficiency this Congress, which will benefit all Americans.”
“As we face growing energy challenges in New Hampshire and across the nation, investing in energy efficiency is among our best lines of defense – not only does it protect our environment, but it also strengthens our infrastructure and creates good-paying jobs. That’s why I’m pleased that significant priorities from our bill are included in the Energy Infrastructure Act, which cleared a key committee hurdle this week,” said Shaheen. “From ensuring our buildings are climate-resilient to strengthening our economy and reducing pollution, this bill is a common-sense step to invest in a greener future. I appreciate Senator Portman’s continued partnership to promote energy efficiency over the years, and I’m committed to working across the aisle to ensure that in this Congress we meaningfully act on energy efficiency.”
Specifically, provisions from their signature ESIC Act that passed committee as part of the Energy Infrastructure Act include:
- $120,000,000 from FY 2022-2026 to fund centers that identify opportunities for optimizing energy efficiency at manufacturing and industrial facilities;
- A $45,000,000 annual grant program from FY 2022-2026 to implement cost-effective building codes for efficiency and resilience;
- A $10,000,000 grant program for FY 2022 at higher education institutions to establish building training and assessment centers to implement modern building technologies;
- A $10,000,000 grant program for FY 2022 to invest in career training programs for students to receive certificates to build energy efficient buildings technologies;
- The creation of technical assessments for manufacturers to maximize energy efficiency, prevent pollution, improve water usage, conserve natural resources and more;
- A requirement for information-sharing between the EIA and EPA related to commercial energy consumption data.
Portman and Shaheen are both members of the Senate Climate Solutions Caucus, which brings together an equal number of Republicans and Democrats to craft and advance bipartisan solutions to address climate change.
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