ACEEE backs energy legislation

A new federal bill now being considered by the U.S. Congress would require utilities to reduce electricity demand by 15 percent by 2020 and promote comprehensive energy-efficiency retrofits for residential and commercial buildings. According to an analysis of the proposed legislation by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE), the American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACESA) authored by Representatives Henry Waxman (D-CA) and Ed Markey (D-MA) would provide substantial energy savings. “Our analyses indicate that energy efficiency policies are a key cost-control element for climate change legislation because the less energy we need, the fewer new power plants we need, and the fewer existing power plants that need to be upgraded,” said Steven Nadel, ACEEE’s executive director.