Doyle Green Buildings Legislation Passed As Part of Energy Conservation Bill
U.S. Representative Mike Doyle (PA-14) praised the energy independence and conservation bill passed by the House today (H.R. 6), which included legislation he introduced earlier this year to make new buildings more energy-efficient (H.R. 121).
"I'm very pleased that Congress has approved my legislation to make new buildings in this country more energy-efficient," Congressman Doyle said this afternoon. "These provisions will save consumers hundreds of billions of dollars in lower energy bills over the next 20 years. I hope the President has the wisdom to sign H.R. 6 into law."
Congressman Doyle's "Green Building" legislation would require the federal government to use "green building" technology in all of its construction projects. "Green building" measures include energy-saving designs, more energy-efficient lights and equipment, and the use of recycled or renewable materials. This legislation would also promote the use of green building technology by the private sector and state and local governments.
"Gas prices today are more than double the price in 2001, and heating oil costs are three times what they were then," Congressman Doyle observed. "We may not be able to get those prices back down, so we'd better get serious about finding cost-effective ways to make every gallon of oil go farther. I believe that such innovation also holds the greatest promise for stopping global warming."
"I'm especially pleased that Pittsburgh, a national leader in green building technology, could experience significant economic growth and job creation as a result of the green building provisions in this bill," Congressman Doyle added.
Congressman Doyle's green building legislation was part of a larger bill intended to lessen our country's dependence on foreign oil, reduce global warming, and lower energy costs for American consumers. This legislation, the Renewable Fuels, Consumer Protection, and Energy Efficiency Act of 2007 (H.R. 6), would also set new energy consumption standards for lights and appliances. This bill would also increase vehicle fuel efficiency standard to 35 miles per gallon in 2020the first congressional increase in 32 years. It also contains provisions to increase American biofuel production to 36 billion gallons in 2022. Finally, this legislation also contains incentives to promote the development and adoption of renewable energy supplies.
The provisions in the Renewable Fuels, Consumer Protection, and Energy Efficiency Act will reduce U.S. oil consumption by more than 4 million barrels per day by 2030more than twice the amount that our country currently imports from the Persian Gulf. The new fuel efficiency standards will produce $22 billion in net annual savings for consumers in 2020 - or about $700 to $1,000 a year at the pump for every family. Similarly, the bill's building, appliance, and lighting efficiency will save consumers $400 billion through 2030. In addition, these policies will reduce our nation's greenhouse gas emissions substantially.
This legislation must now be considered by President Bush, who has threatened to veto it.
"This is a good first step in cutting our nation's energy consumption and halting global warming," Congressman Doyle said. "The House Energy and Commerce Committee, on which I serve, will take up legislation next year to do more to reduce our nation's greenhouse gas emissions."