graniteclips.com - Improved Efficiency Vital to Energy Independence

Op-Ed

BySenator Jeanne Shaheen

Each year, Earth Day reminds us of the responsibility we have to protect the environment for future generations. This is a responsibility I take seriously and is why I'm committed to helping our economy become cleaner and our country more energy independent.

Energy efficiency is the fastest and most affordable way to accomplish this goal. Fortunately, it's also an issue where Republicans and Democrats agree, which is why I was proud to recently re-introduce the Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act with Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio.

Shaheen-Portman would:

Create 80,000 jobs and save consumers $4 billion in energy costs by 2021;

Cut carbon-dioxide emissions by the equivalent of taking 5 million cars off the road;

Make it easier for private sector energy users to become more efficient; and

Save taxpayers money by requiring the federal government -- the largest energy consumer in the world -- become more efficient with their energy consumption.

Here's the great news: There is serious momentum behind this legislation. It's not often that you get Republicans, Democrats, business, labor and environmental leaders all behind a common goal, but that's what we've done with the push for energy efficiency. In total, more than 200 businesses, environmental advocates, think tanks and trade associations have endorsed this legislation. That level of support shows that we have a real opportunity to pass this bill and send it to President Barack Obama for his signature.

In New Hampshire we're already seeing investments in energy efficiency pay dividends. In fact, many New Hampshire businesses can serve as models for the rest of the country. Not long ago I visited High Liner Foods in Portsmouth, an energy-intensive seafood processing plant. At one point High Liner was using roughly 2 megawatts of power at any given time during its regular operations.

After installing energy-efficient lighting, new boilers, and various other technologies, the company has reduced its energy consumption dramatically. This has allowed them to expand and make their operations more cost effective.

Velcro USA is another New Hampshire based company that has invested in energy efficiency. They manufacture hook and loop fasteners and have implemented a range of measures at their facilities that have helped them both save money and stay competitive during difficult economic times.

Ultimately, transitioning to a cleaner, more energy-efficient future must be pursued at a national level. If we can agree on a national energy efficiency strategy, we'll help create jobs, protect our environment and save consumers and taxpayers billions of dollars.

Our country is in dire need of a new comprehensive energy policy and business leaders, policy experts, and members of both political parties agree that energy efficiency is where we should start. At a time when too many Americans are unemployed, too many businesses are struggling to deal with rising energy costs and the country relies too heavily on foreign oil, implementing an energy efficiency strategy is a matter of common sense.

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