Blumenthal Joins Legrand, Energy Advocates In Demanding Passage Of Bi-Partisan Federal Energy Efficiency Legislation, Currently Hijacked By Fringe Ideologues

(Hartford, CT) – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) joined Legrand North America leaders and Connecticut energy advocates Monday in demanding passage of the bi-partisan Energy Efficiency and Industrial Competitiveness Act, currently stalled by a small group of fringe ideologues intent on blocking all Senate progress.

The bill has garnered backing from broad bipartisan coalitions, securing support from Republican and Democratic leadership, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the National Association of Manufacturers, labor groups and energy and environmental advocates. Despite that breadth of support, the bill has been hijacked by a small minority of Republican ideologues seeking to block all Senate progress until they can dismantle the Affordable Care Act.

Gridlock over such broadly supported legislation has called into question whether Congress can muster votes for any important bills this session.

“If we are concerned at all of climate disruption—of the erosion of our shores, rising sea levels and more frequent and catastrophic weather—we must demand action on energy efficiency. This bipartisan bill is a win-win for our economy and our environment—saving consumers $13.7 billion per year, supporting 164,000 jobs by 2030, resulting in cumulative energy savings equal to the combined energy consumption of the entire states of Michigan and California over the next 15 years. If Congress cannot work together to pass this no brainer, there may be nothing passed this session,” Blumenthal said.

The Energy Efficiency and Industrial Competitiveness Act provides new federal funding for workforce training, manufacturing rebates to upgrade inefficient technology, support for ongoing research and development of alternative energy sources, and upgraded efficiency standards for federal buildings and new construction.

“Energy waste is an enormous problem in the United States. We lose an astonishing 61 percent of the energy we produce through inefficiencies in our power plants, buildings, vehicles, and electronics. The good news is that this energy waste presents a major economic opportunity,” said William E. Dornbos, ENE Connecticut Director. “By pursuing cost-effective energy efficiency measures – like the Act’s building energy code provisions – we can reduce energy waste and reap substantial benefits, such as lower energy bills, new jobs and economic growth, and cleaner air and less climate pollution. If passed, the Act would put a real dent in the nation’s energy waste. ENE has calculated the Act’s cumulative energy savings to be equal to about 13 years of Connecticut’s total annual energy consumption. ENE strongly supports passage of this bipartisan and common sense legislation.”

On Monday, Blumenthal joined energy efficiency advocates from Environment Northeast in touring Legrand North America’s Experience Center, an interactive, hands-on demonstration room showcasing the company’s energy efficient innovations and underscoring the benefits of energy efficiency to consumers and businesses.

Blumenthal has offered an amendment to the bill, supported by Legrand, to require that the U.S. Department of Energy study the non-monetary benefits of energy saving products and building energy code compliance. According to the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, buildings account for almost 40 percent of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions.

"We are honored to work alongside Senator Blumenthal, and in collaboration with the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy to develop an amendment to this vital energy efficiency legislation," said John Selldorff, President and CEO of Legrand, North America. "Legrand and Senator Blumenthal are wholly united on educating the building community and consumers on the tremendous importance of reducing energy consumption and realizing the cost savings that come with that effort.  We are confident the studies proposed in the amendment will bring forth abundant and persuasive evidence of the benefits that we as a company have already earned through our own energy-reduction program and policies.”

Legrand is a France-based global leader in electrical, data and network solutions to improve delivery and control of power for commercial, industrial and residential uses. Legrand’s North American headquarters are based in West Hartford, employing over 500 people. The company manufactures more than 50,000 products, including dimmers, lighting management systems, wiring devices, cable management systems, home automation and audio systems and electric vehicle charging stations.

ENE (Environment Northeast) is a non-profit organization that researches and advocates innovative policies that tackle our environmental challenges while promoting sustainable economies. ENE is at the forefront of efforts to combat global warming with solutions that promote clean energy, clean air and healthy forests.  ENE is a long-standing member of Connecticut’s Energy Efficiency Board, a stakeholder body that helps guide and advise the state’s award-winning energy efficiency programs.  For more information on the economic benefits of energy efficiency investments, see ENE’s analytical work, “Energy Efficiency: Engine for Economic Growth” (online at: http://www.env-ne.org/resources/detail/energy-efficiency-engine-of-economic-growth).