Steve Cohen: “I offer this amendment with Mr. Scott Peters of California. Mr. Peters and I both have an interest in saving money-- and…”

“I offer this amendment with Mr. Scott Peters of California. Mr. Peters and I both have an interest in saving money-- and this amendment would save $5 million--and in putting our money wisely in research on renewable energies which saves individuals money--individual citizens money--and protects our environment and using that money, instead of putting the money in the budget to do research on coal and fossil fuels that contribute to global warming and a threat to our environment. The fact is the Department of Energy's energy efficiency program has been effective. This would increase it by $10.3 million. This program is underfunded already in the bill, and it would take $15 million from funds that are in the budget for coal research and development--$15 million that are in excess of the President's budget request. The Department of Energy's energy efficiency programs partner with private industry, small business, and academics to facilitate research, development, and deployment of innovative energy efficiency technologies in manufacturing, buildings, and homes. In this collaboration with these different stakeholders, they have determined the best practices that can be found and then put into commercial use, resulting in energy-saving advancements that create jobs and give businesses competitive advantages with foreign competitors.…”