[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 119 (Friday, September 29, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1633-E1634]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     INTRODUCTION OF THE ENERGY EFFICIENT BUILDINGS INCENTIVES ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. RANDY ``DUKE'' CUNNINGHAM

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 29, 2000

  Mr. CUNNINGHAM. Mr. Speaker, today I introduce the Energy Efficient 
Buildings Incentives Act. I am joined in this effort by a substantial 
and diverse coalition of my colleagues including Mr. Markey of 
Massachusetts, Mr. Bilbray of California, Mr. Lewis of California, and 
Mr. Farr of California, as well as Mr. Smith of New Hampshire in the 
Senate, and many others. This bill is supported by a strong coalition 
of industries and organizations. I have submitted a list of supporters 
below.
  My constituents in San Diego have been suffering from outrageously 
high-energy prices for the entire summer. Our citizens and city have 
been forced into a crisis by the State legislature's deregulation of 
the electricity market. While I and my colleagues from San Diego are 
seeking solutions to this terrible crisis, I am introducing this bill 
in an effort to formulate a long-term energy plan.
  The Energy Efficient Buildings Incentives Act will provide tax 
incentives for the construction of energy efficient buildings. 
Structures of this nature could potentially cut energy usage by as much 
as 50 percent. This would result in a nearly 6 percent reduction in air 
emissions over the next 10 years--equivalent to taking 40 percent of 
the automobiles off the road.
  The bill will offer tax incentives to encourage the production and 
sale of technologically advanced, energy-efficient buildings and 
equipment. The legislation is structured to promote the creation of 
competitive markets for new technologies and designs that are not 
widely available today, but have the possibility of

[[Page E1634]]

being cost effective to the consumer in the future. The incentives will 
apply to:
  Efficient new residential buildings that save 30% to 50% in energy 
costs compared to national model codes, including a higher incentive 
for higher savings. Efficient heating, cooling, and water heating 
equipment that reduce emissions and peak electric loads by about 20% 
(lower incentives) and 30%-50% (higher incentives) compared to national 
standards. Efficient commercial buildings with 50% energy and power 
cost savings. Residential-scale solar hot water and photovoltaic 
equipment.
  The design and administration for these energy efficient structures 
is based on the track record of successful state programs over the past 
decade. Buildings account for some 35% of air pollution emissions 
nationwide, and cost their owners over $250 billion a year in energy 
costs. They also contribute to well over half of peak electric power 
demand. If enacted promptly the incentives in this bill will begin to 
mitigate electric peak reliability problems by the summer of 2001.
  This bill will help both families and businesses reduce annual energy 
costs, saving over $80 billion in present value over the next decade. 
Energy costs of businesses are tax deductible under current law, so 
reductions in energy costs means billions of dollars in saving to the 
Federal government.
  Please join me in supporting the Energy Efficient Buildings 
Incentives Act which will provide for a cleaner environment and help 
reduce energy needs, thus postponing the need for building new power 
plants as well as helping to save our environment.

  SUPPORTERS OF S. 2718--The Energy Efficient Buildings Incentives Act

     Natural Resources Defense Council
     Environmental Defense
     Consumer's Choice Council
     U.S. PIRG
     World Wildlife Federation
     Defenders of Wildlife
     American Oceans Campaign
     Environmental and Energy Study Institute
     American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy
     Legal Environmental Assistance Foundation, Inc
     Michigan Environmental Council Minnesotans for an Energy 
         Efficient Economy
     League of Conservation Voters
     Union of Concerned Scientists
     National Wildlife Federation
     Sierra Club
     The Wilderness Society
     National Environmental Trust
     Physicians for Social Responsibility
     Global Green USA
     Friends of the Earth
     Alliance to Save Energy
     ENRON
     Pacific Gas and Electric Company
     Sacramento Municipal Utility District
     Pacific Corp
     Massachusetts Electric
     Southern California Edison
     Montana Power
     American Portland Cement Alliance
     Air Conditioning Contractors of America
     Foamed Polystyrene Alliance
     North American Insulation Manufacturers Association
     Polyisocyanurate Insulation Manufacturers Association
     American Energy Technologies
     American Solar Energy
     Siemens Solar Industries
     TRANE
     National Association of State Energy Officials
     Home Builders Association of Central Vermont, Inc.
     Insulation Contractors Association of America
     California Building Industry Association
     California Association of Building Energy Consultants
     National Council of the Housing Industry
     National Insulation Association
     California Energy Commission
     Florida Solar Energy Center
     California Air Resources Board
     National Association of State Energy Officials

       (These are some of the businesses which the trade 
     associations represent but have not necessarily specifically 
     signed on.)

     Honeywell Inc.
     Evanite Fiber Corp
     Fibrex Insulation, Inc
     Johns Manville Corp
     MFS, Inc.
     OCHT
     Roxul, Inc
     Thermafiber LLC
     Western Fiberglass Group
     Akzo Nobel
     BASF Corp
     C.K. Witco Corp
     Dow Chemical USA
     Exxon Chemical Co.
     Goldschmidt Chemical Co.
     Hunter Panels
     Huntsman Polyurethane
     Johns Manville Corp
     Laroche Industries Inc.
     Old American Products
     Phillips 66 Co.
     Solvay Fluorides, Inc.
     Vulcan Materials
     Certain Teed Corp
     Isolatik International
     Knauf Fiber Glass
     Owens Corning
     Rock Wool Manufacturing Co.
     Sloss Industries Corp
     USG Interiors Inc.
     Air Products & Chemicals, Inc.
     Atlas Roofing Corp
     Bayer
     Carlisle Syntec, Inc.
     Elf Atochem North America, Inc
     Firestone Building Products Co.
     Honeywell International
     Huntsman Corp
     IKO Industries, Ltd
     KoSa
     OAF
     Petrocel S.A.
     Rmax, Inc.
     Stephen Co.

     

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