Political Quotes

“I am on the floor today to discuss the Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act--which is why we call it Shaheen-Portman; it is a faster way to refer to it. It is a bill I coauthored with Senator Rob Portman from Ohio, and it represents more than 3 years of meetings, negotiations, compromise, and broad stakeholder outreach in an effort to craft the most effective piece of energy legislation with the greatest chance of passing both Chambers of Congress and of being signed into law. My partner in this effort, Senator Portman, was here on the floor last night talking about why this is a bipartisan bill that can pass not only this Chamber but the House and be signed into law. It is a bipartisan effort that reflects an affordable approach to boost the use of energy efficiency technologies in our economy. Efficiency is the cheapest, fastest way to reduce our energy use. Energy-saving techniques and technologies lower costs; they free up capital that allows businesses to expand and our economy to grow. In addition to being an energy bill, it is a jobs bill. We can start improving our efficiency now by installing ready, proven technologies such as modern heating systems, computer-controlled thermostats, low- energy lighting. Efficiency is no longer about putting on a sweater and turning down the thermostat. It is about making use of these technologies that are available today.…”