EESI Weighs in on Funding for Energy Efficiency Programs

Uncertainty is increasing in Washington about the long-term outlook for critical funding for a wide range of clean energy programs administered by the U.S. Department of Energy.  The House and Senate have each passed their versions of the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2020 (H.R. 2960 and S. 2470), which provides funding for DOE as well as the Army Corps of Engineers and Bureau of Reclamation. But what is less clear is when, during a busy time of year, Congress will find time to reconcile the two bills and send new funding to DOE rather than approving shorter-term, stop-gap continuing resolutions that lack needed increases and clear directions to agencies on spending priorities.

EESI supports the highest approved levels of funding from either the House and Senate for energy efficiency programs. In fact, EESI signed two advocacy letters regarding the funding levels for DOE energy efficiency programs as well as the ENERGY STAR® program (that is part of a different appropriations bill that includes the Environmental Protection Agency). Several other organizations and businesses also signed the letters, demonstrating the coalition of support for the funding outlined in these bills. Energy efficiency reduces greenhouse gas emissions, decreases the demand for energy imports, and lowers the costs on a household and economy-wide level. Improving energy efficiency is the cheapest, and often most immediate, way to reduce the use of fossil fuel. Increasing funding for federal programs that work on energy efficiency is imperative, and the appropriations bills reflect that.

Under the Senate Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 appropriations bill, the Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) would receive $45 million, an increase of $15 million from FY 2019. FEMP improves energy efficiency and increases the use of renewable energy at federal sites. In testimony before Congress in November, EESI Executive Director Daniel Bresette stated “there is simply no excuse for inefficient federal buildings that needlessly waste scarce taxpayer dollars.” By funding FEMP, Congress is taking steps to improve the energy efficiency of federal buildings.

Additionally, the Senate FY 2020 bill would increase funding for the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) by over $46 million. WAP helps low-income families in every state by making energy efficiency improvements to their homes and lowering energy related costs. In an EESI briefing, Mark Jackson, Vice President of Energy Solutions of Community Housing Partners, explained that “for every $1 invested in weatherization, there are $1.72 in energy-related benefits and $2.78 in non-energy benefits.” The WAP reduces emissions by 3.5 million metric tons of carbon dioxide per year, which is equivalent to removing 740,000 cars. Providing the highest level of funding for the WAP would benefit people across the country.

The House FY 2020 bill would provide $10 million for DOE’s Building Energy Codes Program, which supports the development and state and local adoption of energy codes. Energy codes are a crucial tool for increasing the energy efficiency of new or renovated buildings. Between 2012 and 2040, energy codes are forecasted to save 841 million tons of carbon dioxide, which is equivalent to 245 coal powered plants. 

While part of the separate Interior Appropriations bills, EPA’s ENERGY STAR program is widely used by consumers, businesses, and utilities.  ENERGY STAR “helps businesses and individuals save money and protect our climate through superior energy efficiency.”  The House FY 2020 appropriations bill would provide $42 million of funding for the ENERGY STAR program, which has which has delivered 3 billion metric tons of greenhouse gas reductions since 1992. As stated in EESI’s letter, “ENERGY STAR accomplishes several highly desirable goals at once: it helps consumers reduce high energy bills, promotes economic growth by stimulating investment in new technology, reduces pollution through cost-effective measures, and helps ensure the reliability of our electricity system by reducing peak demand.”

EESI has a long track record of supporting appropriations for federal energy efficiency programs administered by DOE and EPA.  It is important to House and Senate appropriators to know what EESI and other advocates prioritize as they work to close out the funding process for FY 2020. 

 

Author: Savannah Bertrand