WASHINGTON, D.C.—A bill introduced by Rep. Greg Stanton and Rep. Marc Veasey of Texas to reauthorize and increase funding for the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program will be marked up by the Energy and Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Energy this Thursday, May 16 at 10 a.m.
The block grant program provides grants to states, local governments, and Indian tribes to assist efforts to reduce fossil fuel emissions and conserve energy. The bill, H.R. 2088, would reauthorize the program and provide it with $3.5 billion annually for the next five years.
The bill’s movement comes less than a week after it was endorsed by the U.S. Conference of Mayors and the National League of Cities.
“With this bill, we can open new opportunities to states, local governments and tribes to better meet their own energy efficiency and conservation goals,” said Rep. Greg Stanton. “We have been able to move it through the legislative process quickly—and I think that’s a testament to common-sense solutions that can improve our communities.”
After the bill is marked up by the Subcommittee, it will be added to the legislative schedule for a full House vote.