Energy Efficiency : FY2005 Budget and Policy Review

Thursday, February 19, 2004

3:00 – 4:15 pm, 2325 Rayburn House Office Building

(click here for PDF version)

The House Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Caucus, the Sustainable Energy Coalition and the Environmental and Energy Study Institute held a Congressional briefing on the implications of the Administration's FY 2005 budget request on energy efficiency R&D investments and deployment programs, as well as key energy efficiency policy issues pending before the Congress.

Energy efficiency technologies have made great strides in reducing energy use while improving energy services in the residential, commercial and industrial sectors. Opportunities abound for improvements to be made in every sector of the economy. Using less energy to deliver the same or greater services helps US companies be more competitive; reduces air pollution emissions that are harmful to public health; and reduces energy costs for electricity/heating/cooling services, helping energy consumers (especially low-income residents) pay their energy bills and spend more dollars locally that would otherwise be sent to other regions or nations. Given the strains on the power grid as evidenced by the blackouts over the past few years, improvements in the efficiency of how energy is used can lessen stress on the grid and thereby improve its reliability. Furthermore, the volatility of natural gas prices has captured the news and raised concerns around the country as escalating prices have badly squeezed many businesses and consumers.

The briefing panel will discuss how the Administration's new budget treats energy efficiency investments from both the R&D as well as the deployment sides (e.g., low-income weatherization and state energy programs) in addition to letting you know about other key energy efficiency policy issues before the Congress. These are issues that Members of Congress will be addressing in the next few months as they grapple with very important budget and energy policy decisions.

Briefing Panelists:

Ø   Bill Prindle, Deputy Director, American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (click here for presentation)

Ø   Jeff Genzer, General Counsel, National Association of State Energy Officials; Duncan Weinberg, Genzer & Pembroke (click here for written statement) (click here for State Energy Programs Update)

Ø    Eli Hopson, Professional Staff (Majority), House Science Subcommittee on Energy (click here for J. Edmonds slides)

This briefing is the first of a two-part series examining the role of energy efficiency and renewable energy resources and technologies in the federal budget and in major energy policy issues before the Congress. Our next briefing addressing renewable energy will be held within the next two weeks.

The briefing was open to the public and no reservations were required. For more information please contact Ray Minjares at 202-662-1883 or rminjares@eesi.org .