Bipartisan Energy Efficiency Bill Gains More Support — Could Congress Pass It?

A comprehensive energy efficiency bill that had previously stalled last year has been reintroduced by the bipartisan duo of U.S. senators who created it — and this time, they think the bill has a real shot of getting the 60 votes it needs to pass the Senate.

Sens. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Rob Portman (R-OH) hope the bill — called the Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act but nicknamed “Shaheen-Portman” — will gain some real footing this time around.  The reintroduced version of the bill also includes 10 new amendments, all with the aim of boosting energy efficiency in schools, commercial and residential properties, and federally-owned buildings.

Now, the bill has 10 more bipartisan amendments and a number of additional sponsors, including Sens. John Hoeven (R-ND), Joe Manchin (D-WV), Mary Landrieu (D-LA) and Johnny Isakson (R-GA).  The amendments include efficiency retrofits on public low-income housing units and schools, and the establishment of a voluntary “Tenant Star” recognition program to promote energy efficiency achievements.

Though reintroduction has brought back a sense of excitement about the bill, it still faces uncertainty.  Senate leadership has not yet indicated whether it would even bring the bill to the floor.  Plus, the bill’s bipartisan status could be an unexpected burden.  As the National Journal notes, upcoming midterm elections mean lawmakers “could be hesitant to hand the opposing party a win — even if it meant they could claim victory as well.”

Bipartisan Energy Efficiency Bill Gains More Support — Could Congress Pass It?