On the recordFebruary 2, 2016
I call on my colleagues to support my amendment No. 3115 that I offer with Senators Heinrich, Warren, and Sanders. This amendment establishes a national energy efficiency standard that requires electric and natural gas utilities to help their customers use energy more efficiently. Our amendment is modeled on the experience of Minnesota and 24 other States that have already adopted energy efficiency standards, including States such as Texas, Arizona, and Arkansas. The State programs are working great, helping reduce energy usage, saving customers, consumers, and businesses money on their electricity bills, creating well-paying jobs, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. According to the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, our amendment will generate more than three times the energy savings of the entire Portman-Shaheen energy efficiency title, which is a great title in and of itself, in the base bill. By the year 2030, our amendment will generate 20 percent energy savings across the country and result in about $145 billion in net savings to consumers. We like to say that States are the laboratories of democracy, and half our States have shown that these policies work. So it is time to build on their successes and bring this successful experiment to the entire country. I ask my colleagues to join me in supporting this important amendment. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Alaska.
