WASHINGTON - Rep. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) lauded the Obama administration and former President Bill Clinton for their joint efforts to increase the energy efficiency of federal and private buildings. Rep. Markey has authored several laws aimed at improving energy efficiency standards in buildings and appliances, and the energy and climate bill he co-authored in 2009 with Rep. Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) included measures that would have vastly increased the energy efficiency of homes and businesses across the country.
Below is the statement of Rep. Markey, the Ranking Member of the Natural Resources Committee:
"If we are working to rebuild our economy, what better way to put people back on the job than by updating our buildings for the 21st century? This forward-looking effort stands in stark contrast to the dangerous Republican schemes that would repeal minimum lighting efficiency standards and force us back to 19th century incandescent light bulbs and increased consumption of fossil fuels.
"Half of our country's heat-trapping pollution comes from the electricity to light and power our homes, businesses and other buildings. In this season of light, this is a bright idea that will cut pollution, put people back to work, and save energy and save money for the taxpayers for innumerable seasons to come."
