Roland Gutierrez: “Mr. Chairman, once again, this Congress has failed to adequately support energy efficiency programs that work for the…”

“Mr. Chairman, once again, this Congress has failed to adequately support energy efficiency programs that work for the American people. This is a failure born of shortsightedness and is particularly troublesome given the challenges our Nation confronts in the next century. With regions around the world competing to develop the most efficient economies possible, we are holding ourselves back in this race by declining to support energy conservation. The Department of Energy's renewable energy and efficiency programs have been extremely successful. These programs have saved American consumers billions, and I underscore the word billions, of dollars in utility bills. They have made housing more affordable for low and moderate income families, and these vital programs have helped communities nationwide reduce air pollution levels that burden local industry and threaten public health. The evidence is clear, energy efficiency is a wise investment, an investment with substantial return for consumers, business and the environment. Every dollar cut from energy efficiency programs represents a lost opportunity to make our buildings and motor vehicles more efficient and less costly for manufacturers and owners. These cuts in energy funding take dollars directly out of the pockets of our constituents. I believe that the American people want government that works. They want a government that saves money and improves our quality of life.”