The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“ENABLING ENERGY SAVING INNOVATIONS ACT” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Energy was published in the House of Representatives section on pages H3984-H3985 on June 26, 2012.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
ENABLING ENERGY SAVING INNOVATIONS ACT
Mr. WHITFIELD. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4850) to allow for innovations and alternative technologies that meet or exceed desired energy efficiency goals.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 4850
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Enabling Energy Saving Innovations Act''.
SEC. 2. INNOVATIVE COMPONENT TECHNOLOGIES.
Section 342(f) of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act
(42 U.S.C. 6313(f)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``paragraphs (2) through
(5)'' and inserting ``paragraphs (2) through (6)''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(6) Innovative component technologies.--Subparagraph (C) of paragraph (1) shall not apply to a walk-in cooler or walk-in freezer component if the component manufacturer has demonstrated to the satisfaction of the Secretary that the component reduces energy consumption at least as much as if such subparagraph were to apply. In support of any demonstration under this paragraph, a manufacturer shall provide to the Secretary all data and technical information necessary to fully evaluate its application.''.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Whitfield) and the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Castor) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Kentucky.
Mr. WHITFIELD. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of the Enabling Energy Saving Innovations Act, H.R. 4850, which was introduced by Representative Aderholt of Alabama. This bill fixes a problem with section 312 of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 relating to newly manufactured walk-in coolers and walk-in freezers. The legislation resolves a problem by providing the Secretary of Energy authority to waive certain component specifications of section 312, so long as the manufacturer demonstrates that that product meets or exceeds DOE energy-efficiency standards.
I would urge all Members to support this commonsense piece of legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.
{time} 1450
Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, the ranking member of the Energy and Commerce Committee asked me to convey that he has no objection to the bill. Mr. Aderholt's bill provides the flexibility for walk-in coolers and walk-
in freezers to meet the applicable energy-efficiency standards with technologies other than foam insulation. The bill ensures that the alternative technology reduces energy consumption at least as much as the insulation that is currently required. We think this is a reasonable approach, encourage Members to support the bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. WHITFIELD. Madam Speaker, at this time I would like to yield 6 minutes to the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Aderholt), who is the author of this legislation.
Mr. ADERHOLT. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding.
Madam Speaker, when Congress passed the Energy Independence and Security Act in December 2007, it inadvertently did not allow a procedure for technologies which may provide greater energy efficiencies than even what is required in the bill. The legislation before us this afternoon simply makes a small change in relation to walk-in coolers and freezers.
Section 312 of the Energy Independence and Security Act regulates the efficiency standards of walk-in coolers and freezers. The section mandates that cooler and freezer doors meet a certain R-value as a measurement of their ability to retain temperature and use less energy. The problem is that an R-value is a measurement based primarily on the thickness of foam. Therefore, requiring products to meet an R-value prohibits technologies that are just as efficient, but utilize alternative materials or technologies.
These types of statutes typically provide the Department of Energy with a waiver authority. This bill simply provides the Department of Energy with the authority to waive the R-value requirement if they determine a product meets or exceeds the desired energy-efficiency goals. This bill is supported by the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy. Furthermore, we have spoken with officials at the Department of Energy who recognize the need to consider the energy savings of nonfoam products.
Madam Speaker, this situation offers a prime example of how making an adjustment in a government regulation can maintain standards and at the same time allow flexibility for businesses and retailers to purchase superior products to enable their businesses to use less energy and therefore save more money. The law as it currently stands is preventing this mutually beneficial transaction from taking place. Furthermore, without a waiver authority, the law will continue to limit future innovations in this important sector. It would be, as if in the 1950s, Congress had mandated that the record industry only use a certain type of vinyl. Therefore, there would be no cassette tapes, CDs, or iPods.
With this simple bill, Congress can fix this oversight, allowing more eco-friendly innovations and a freer marketplace. This is one way we as Representatives can help continue to create an environment for economic growth. For those reasons, this bill enjoys wide bipartisan support, and I urge a ``yes'' vote on H.R. 4850.
Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Madam Speaker, if the other side of the aisle has no further speakers, then I'm prepared to yield back.
Mr. WHITFIELD. We have no further speakers.
Ms. CASTOR of Florida. I urge a ``yes'' vote on the bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. WHITFIELD. Madam Speaker, I just want to thank the gentlelady from Florida and the ranking member for working with us on this legislation. I urge its passage, and I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Whitfield) that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 4850.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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