Federal Legislation

The Campaign for an Energy-Efficient America supports creation of a national EERS that will achieve, by the end of 2020, annual electricity savings of 15 percent and annual natural gas savings of 10 percent, including savings from new building codes and equipment efficiency standards.

Campaign for an Energy-Efficient America Position Statement

Our Presentation on the Federal Energy Efficiency Standard

Energy Efficiency in the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009

Energy efficiency programs in the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 (H.R. 2454) will help put America on the fast track to a clean energy economy, complement efforts to expand use of renewable energy sources like wind, solar and biomass, and address climate change by implementing a nationwide cap on carbon emissions.

Efficiency elements in the bill include:

1. An energy efficiency resource standard (EERS) requiring utility companies to reduce their energy usage by 5-8 percent through efficiency measures. In order to meet this standard (versions of which are already used in 19 states), utilities would provide incentives and assistance to help customers make their homes and businesses more energy-efficient;
2. Codes and standards for buildings and appliances; and
3. Allowances given to utility companies to ease the initial impact of cap and trade that are allocated specifically to energy efficiency provisions.

The time has come for Congress to move quickly to enact the American Clean Energy and Security Act, an important first step in bringing the numerous benefits of energy efficiency to all Americans and putting America on the path to a more efficient, clean energy economy.

State EERS Policies

States’ adoption of energy efficiency resource standards and their successes reinforce the value of implementing a national EERS. In 1999, Texas became the first state to establish an EERS and today, 19 states have these standards.

Information about state programs:

Map of State EERS Policies - Energy Future Coalition

Success with Energy Efficiency Resource Standards - features successes in Texas, Vermont, California, Hawaii, Connecticut and Nevada - American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy

State Energy Efficiency Policy Database -  outlines state EERS and other energy efficiency policies - American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy