Heinrich: Energy Efficiency Proposal Is Good For New Mexico’s Economy

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources voted to advance S. 2262, the Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act, a bipartisan bill introduced by Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) and Rob Portman (R-Ohio) to create jobs, reduce pollution, and make our country more energy efficient. The proposal passed a procedural vote today of 79-20. The measure now moves to debate.

"Becoming a nation that's more energy efficient is a common sense approach to growing the economy, and is central to slowing the effects of climate change and creating a healthier environment for future generations," said Sen. Heinrich. "New Mexico stands to benefit from leveraging investments in efficiency projects and innovative technologies."

Last September, Sen. Heinrich delivered a floor speech in support of the bill and highlighted some of New Mexico's energy efficiency projects.

The Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act uses a variety of low-cost tools to make it easier for private sector energy users to become more efficient while also making the country's largest energy user -- the federal government -- more efficient. 

The bill also incentivizes the use of efficiency technologies that are commercially available today, can be widely deployed across the country, and quickly pay for themselves through energy savings.