WASHINGTON (July 17, 2019) – The American Chemistry Council (ACC) today welcomed the reintroduction of the Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness (ESIC) Act, sponsored by Senators Rob Portman (R-Ohio) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.). ACC released the following statement by President and CEO Cal Dooley, who participated in a press conference on Capitol Hill with the bill’s sponsors and supporters.
“We applaud Senators Portman and Shaheen for continuing to champion this important, bipartisan legislation. The Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act includes measures that will help Americans save energy and money while creating jobs. The bill has robust and diverse support, and we hope it moves forward without delay.
“The ESIC Act contains provisions to achieve energy savings across the economy. The energy building codes section will boost energy efficiency in new homes, the regulatory provisions will help ensure high-performance green federal buildings, the appliance standards provisions will facilitate lower utility bills for consumers, and the manufacturing energy efficiency program will enhance the competitiveness of U.S. companies.
“We’re glad that the legislation incorporates provisions that would consider the value of energy-efficient features during home financing and appraisal. Energy costs are among the biggest expenses of homeownership, and these provisions will help families reduce their mortgage expenses and utility bills, year after year.
“Energy efficiency is a superb example of how chemistry is the science behind sustainability. Using the products of chemistry, manufacturers are creating the technologies that empower Americans to save energy, including lithium-ion batteries that power our laptops and mobile phones, composite materials for more fuel-efficient cars, solar panels and wind turbines for renewable energy, and strong-yet-lightweight plastic packaging that allows products to be shipped with less weight. High-performance building insulation, sealants and wraps are saving energy in our homes, offices and factories.
“Energy efficiency is one of the cheapest ways to help U.S. manufacturers be more competitive in global markets. Saving energy stretches our nation’s energy supplies while lowering production costs. We look forward to working with Senators Portman and Shaheen to secure passage of this legislation and help make the U.S. economy more energy-efficient.”