Political Quotes

“this amendment strikes the mandate for a 13 SEER standard for residential air-conditioners and heat pumps. As we know, the DOE would be required to issue a new 12 SEER efficiency standard within 90 days. This would result in the same standard as recommended by the DOE staff during the previous administration, and constitute a 20-percent increase in efficiency, which is not a rollback by any means, as some would indicate. Here we are again in the situation, just as in the CAFE debate, where certain Senators want you to believe they know better. Instead of letting the agency, in this case the DOE, act on a reasonable efficiency and cost standard, the number 13 was picked out of the air even though it meant higher costs and fewer choices for consumers. To give some idea, the nonpartisan Energy Administration estimates the 12 SEER standard saves consumers money. The 13 SEER standard is a net cost, that is, about $600 million over 10 years. To give some idea, the 12 SEER saves $2.3 billion over the 10-year period. During the last rulemaking in 2000, DOE staff considered a wide range of possible efficiency standards. Based on a review of all factors, DOE staff proposed a new 12 SEER standard--a 20 percent increase in energy efficiency. However, Secretary Richardson arbitrarily decided--without any further study--to issue a new 13 SEER rule in the final days of the Clinton Administration.”