Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act of 2013

Floor Speech

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Mr. UDALL of Colorado. I am going to talk a little bit about this important effort which has been authored in partnership with my good friend from the wonderful State of Maine, Senator Collins. I wish to take a minute before I do that and say how important it is that we are finally debating, for the first time in years, an energy bill in the Senate. The fact that we are here today beginning this important debate is a huge testament to my colleague from the great State of New Hampshire, Senator Shaheen, and my good friend from the days I served in the House and now fellow Senator from the great State of Ohio, Senator Portman, and the leadership of Chairman Wyden and Ranking Member Murkowski.

I think Senator Portman and Senator Shaheen are saying this in every way possible: For our country to truly realize energy independence, energy security, we need to efficiently use the energy we have. That is exactly what Senators Portman and Shaheen envision with their legislation. We support energy security, and we save Americans money.

With that background, let me turn to our amendment. Improving the energy efficiency of our schools is a no-brainer, and that is why I am proud to partner with Senator Collins to make sure our efforts have the biggest bang for the buck. This is a bipartisan amendment. It will help streamline efforts to improve the energy efficiency of our Nation's schools while, most importantly, strengthening our children's education.

Our schools are often confused by where to go and whom to work with to pursue energy efficiency efforts and education, and this is in part because of how many agencies, departments, State governments, and the like are involved. By providing a coordinating structure for schools to better navigate existing Federal programs and the financing options available to them, we are going to pare back duplicative efforts and make it easier for schools across my State of Colorado and across the United States to save thousands of taxpayer dollars each year that then can be reinvested in strengthening our education system.

The amendment also has the dual benefit of making Federal programs work better for our schools while still leaving decisions to the States, school boards, and local officials to determine what is best for their schools.

This is a commonsense amendment. I truly hope we get a chance to debate it and to have an up-or-down vote on it.

Before I yield the floor, I would also like to point out--I know my colleague Senator Wyden is well aware of this, as are Senator Shaheen, Senator Portman, and Senator Murkowski--that when we have schools that operate on an energy efficient basis, studies show our young people, our children learn more effectively because if you are in an environment that is comfortable, where the light is appropriate, where you can see, where you can take in what is being taught, you are, of course, going to have a better educational experience.

A better educated America means a stronger America, means a more productive America, a more competitive America. This has benefits across the board in every way imaginable--the broader effort that Senators Shaheen and Portman brought forth but also that Senators Wyden and Murkowski are handling here on the floor of the Senate.

I wish to draw attention to this important amendment. I thank my colleague Senator Collins. I know she will be here later to talk about her perspectives and the other good work she is going to do when it comes to this important legislation.

I yield the floor.

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