May 30, 2012 The Honorable Harry Reid United States Senate 522 Hart Senate Office Building

Washington, DC 20510-2803 The Honorable Mitch McConnell United States Senate 517 Russell Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510-1702

Dear Majority Leader Reid and Minority Leader McConnell, On behalf of our millions of members, supporters and activists, we ask you to schedule the Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act (S. 1000) for a vote on the Senate floor as soon as possible in a manner that keeps the bill clean of controversial amendments. This bill has bipartisan support, and uses sensible and effective approaches to save energy and money. Authored by Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Rob Portman, S. 1000 would establish a strategy to increase the use of existing energy efficiency technologies in the residential, commercial and industrial sectors of our economy. Increasing energy efficiency is the fastest and most economical way to move to a clean energy economy. There are many benefits to reducing our energy consumption, while also decreasing dangerous pollutants associated with energy production and saving American consumers and businesses money on utility bills. S.1000 instructs the Department of Energy (DOE) to create practical energy targets, and to work with the States to reach these goals. The strategies for collaboration outlined in the bill will facilitate job creation and save consumers and businesses money. For example, by creating a state partnership revolving loan fund to finance investments in manufacturing process equipment, domestic manufacturers can reduce utility-related overhead costs. Additionally, not only will Americans save energy and money if this bill is passed, the country will also significantly reduce carbon emissions. It is estimated that S.1000 will reduce annual carbon emissions by about 29 million metric tons in 2020. On average, 1 million cars emit about 4.5 million metric tons of carbon, meaning this legislation would be the equivalent of taking nearly 6 million cars off the road. Carbon pollution is a known public health threat, and reductions will help keep our families and communities safe.

Increasing energy efficiency is undoubtedly one of the most practical, cost-effective ways to extend our nations energy supplies. It contributes more towards preserving our finite energy resources so that we can continue to meet our energy needs than any other measure. Passage of this bill would facilitate job creation and save Americans money, all while taking important steps toward cleaning up our environment and improving public health. Again, we urge you to bring up S. 1000- which has strong bipartisan support- for a vote in the near future, and look forward to working with you to advance this proposal. Sincerely, Environment America Environmental Defense Fund Natural Resources Defense Council Sierra Club Southern Environmental Law Center Union of Concerned Scientists The Wilderness Society