Who – truly – could be against saving Americans $60 billion?

Congress stands at the brink of progress. Really. Before the House and Senate lies the best chance in years to drive greater energy productivity into the U.S. economy, which will, in turn, put money back in the pockets of American consumers and businesses and create good jobs all across the country. 

Comprehensive energy legislation has passed both chambers, but the two bills are more different than similar, making the path forward both hard and uncertain. We believe the only path to successfully navigating the bill to the President’s desk starts and ends with the strong energy efficiency title included in the Senate bill – a bill which drew nearly unanimous bi-partisan support in stark contrast to the vote in the House. 

{mosads}Who – truly – could be against saving Americans $60 billion? Who could be against cutting energy waste out of the economy and thereby reducing carbon emissions by 1.5 billion tons? Who could be against creating thousands upon thousands of good jobs for American workers?

The enormous public and bipartisan support for the energy efficiency provisions in the Senate bill is clearly compelling. Consider now the political benefits: for decades, energy efficiency has enjoyed enviable bipartisan support, which is necessary to accomplish anything at all in Washington. That remains the case and should be instructive as congressional leaders meet and discuss how to move forward and reconcile the competing House and Senate energy legislation.

The Senate energy bill’s efficiency title is modeled on the Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act – more commonly referred to as “Portman-Shaheen” after its Senate cosponsors Rob Portman (R-Ohio) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.). Over the past five years, Portman-Shaheen has attracted and retained admirable support from both sides of the aisle (and both chambers, with its companion bill in the House being championed by David McKinley (R-W.Va.) and Peter Welch (D-Vt.). Unfortunately, each of the many times Portman-Shaheen has been placed on the Senate calendar, unrelated issues have torpedoed the bill. Once again, with Portman-Shaheen serving as the first title and “opening act” of the Senate bill, its chances of being enacted into law are threatened by attempts to move controversial measures along with it. 

I cannot predict how the debate over comprehensive energy legislation will end this year. Both sides –Republican and Democratic energy committee leaders from the House and Senate – appear committed to working together to deliver a meaningful bill. This is an enormous first step. But, unless a next step is taken, we may yet again see Portman-Shaheen “left at the altar”. Our political leaders can and must find a path forward. What I can predict – indeed, I know – is that the best way to craft an energy bill that can pass the House and Senate and survive a trip to the White House is to start with Portman-Shaheen – untouched, as passed by the Senate in April, and without any “poison pill” amendments – and build out from there. 

An energy bill that delivers the economic and environmental benefits inherent in energy efficiency will move the House and Senate past the brink and on to progress. 

Kateri Callahan is president and CEO of Alliance to Save Energy.