WASHINGTON—U.S. Representatives Greg Stanton (D-Ariz.), Marc Veasey (D-Tex.), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Penn.), and Jefferson Van Drew (R-N.J.) introduced a bipartisan bill to reauthorize the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program (EECBG), which provides state, local, and tribal governments grants to reduce fossil fuel emissions and conserve energy. The bill reauthorizes and fully funds the program for the next five years.
“Energy efficient infrastructure is the future. This is sustainable and good for business. We have an urgent responsibility to advance these projects in rapidly-expanding states like Arizona,” said Rep. Stanton. “Giving local governments the resources to spur community-level clean energy projects will save residents, businesses and taxpayers money, and create good jobs.”
“Investing in energy efficiency is one of the fastest ways to lower energy costs for working families,” said Rep. Veasey. “This bill gives local governments the tools to cut utility bills, modernize infrastructure, and deliver long-term savings for taxpayers, all while supporting good jobs here at home.”
“Our bipartisan effort to reauthorize the EECBG program will strengthen America’s energy independence and global competitiveness by equipping local governments to cut fossil fuel emissions through smarter, more efficient energy use,” said Rep. Fitzpatrick. “It returns energy leadership to communities, accelerates innovation, sparks the next wave of American innovation, and gives them the tools to diversify their supply, lower costs, and drive job creation.”
“I am proud of this effort by my colleagues and I to lower Americans' energy costs, create jobs, and put money back in the pockets of American taxpayers,” said Rep. Van Drew. “Through the reauthorization of the EECBG Program, localities will have the necessary funding and resources to invest in their economic growth.”
The bill has earned support from the U.S. Conference of Mayors and National League of Cities.
“We are pleased to endorse this bipartisan legislation and urge Congress to support and fully fund the EECBG program… A sharp reduction in greenhouse gas emissions is necessary to reduce the severity of climate change impacts,” executives of both organizations wrote in a joint letter of support. “Moreover, improving energy efficiency and investing in renewable energy makes good economic sense for residents, businesses and communities.”
BACKGROUND
The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program was first authorized under the Bush Administration in the Energy Independence and Security Act in 2007 to provide up to $2 billion a year over a five-year period from 2008 through 2012 and was later funded under the Obama Administration. The EECBG Program represents the largest nationwide direct investment in energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies at the community level in U.S. history. According to the Department of Energy, for every EECBG dollar spent, program participants received approximately $1.76 in bill savings over the lifetime of the measures installed.
This bipartisan bill includes modifications to the original program to promote clean energy sources and help diversify local energy supplies. It would specifically authorize grant recipients to use funds on infrastructure to deliver alternative fuels such as natural gas stations, electric vehicle charging stations, and other next generation charging technologies.
Full text of the bill is HERE.