Environmental and Energy Study Institute

On June 12, the Sustainable Energy Coalition, in cooperation with the House and Senate Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Caucuses, hosted the 16th annual Congressional Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency EXPO and Forum. The EXPO brought together more than 50 businesses, trade associations, government agencies and energy policy research organizations to showcase renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies.

Midway through the day-long event, four U.S. Representatives from the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Caucus stood at the podium of the Cannon House Caucus Room to address the audience of clean energy leaders in business, science and policy from across the United States. They lauded their success in advancing clean energy technology, but also noted the distance that the United States and the world must still go to achieve a more secure energy future.

Representatives David B. McKinley, P.E., (R-WV) and Peter Welch (D-VT)On May 23, Representatives David B. McKinley, P.E., (R-WV) and Peter Welch (D-VT), co-chairs of the High Performance Building Caucus, introduced two pieces of legislation that would encourage energy efficiency investments in residential and commercial buildings as well as create jobs in contracting, retail, manufacturing and construction. The bipartisan Home Owner Managing Energy Savings (HOMES) Act (H.R. 2128) would incentivize homeowners to invest in energy efficiency improvements to their homes by providing rebates to help cover the cost of home energy retrofits.

Their second bill, The Better Buildings Act (H.R. 2126), facilitates cooperation between landlords and tenants to ensure energy efficient practices in buildings. This Act includes the “Tenant Star Program,” through which the Department of Energy would issue certifications to recognize energy efficiency in spaces leased by tenants.