[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 25 (Wednesday, February 28, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E230]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     INTRODUCTION OF THE ENERGY EFFICIENT BUILDINGS INCENTIVES ACT

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                         HON. EDWARD J. MARKEY

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 28, 2001

  Mr. MARKEY. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join my colleague the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Cunningham) and a bipartisan coalition 
of other Members in introducing the ``Energy Efficient Buildings 
Incentives Act.''
  Energy use in buildings in this country accounts for approximately 
35% of polluting air emissions nationwide about twice as much as the 
pollution from cars. It costs the average American $1500 to heat and 
cool their homes every year, which amounts to an annual cost of $150 
billion nationwide. Commercial buildings and schools incur $100 billion 
in annual utility bills. And yet, the tax code fails to provide 
sufficient incentives to reduce wasteful and unnecessary energy use. 
This is bad policy, and it must be changed. in these times of ``brown 
outs'' and ``black outs'' in communities across this nation and in 
times of rising fuel prices, we should be looking for ways to ensure 
that energy is never wasted.
  That is why we have introduced the ``Energy Efficient Buildings 
Incentives Act.'' Our bill would spur use of energy efficient 
technologies, such as super-efficient air conditioning units, which 
could result in a substantial drop in peak electricity demand of at 
least 20,000 megawatts--the equivalent of the output of 40 large power 
plants. At a time when many communities are currently facing 
electricity supply shortages, and the local political issues involved 
with siting and building new power plants are difficult and 
contentious, our bill provides a way to reduce pressures on the 
nation's electricity grid. Specifically, our bill provides tax 
incentives for:
  Efficient residential buildings, saving 30% or 50% of energy cost to 
the homeowner compared to national model codes, with a higher incentive 
for the higher savings.
  Efficient heating, cooling, and water heating equipment that reduces 
consumer energy costs, and, for air conditioners, reduces peak electric 
power demand, by about 20% (lower incentives) and 30%-50% (higher 
incentives) compared to national standards.
  New and existing commercial buildings with 50% reductions in energy 
costs to the owner or tenant, and solar hot water photovoltaic systems.
  If only 50% of new buildings reach the energy efficiency goals of 
this legislation, air pollution emissions in this country could be 
reduced by over 3% in the next decade, and decrease even more 
dramatically over time. In that same ten-year period, this legislation 
could result in direct economic savings of $40 billion to consumers and 
businesses. For example, a family that installs an energy efficient 
water heater can get $250 to $500 back from the tax code changes and an 
additional $50 to $200 every year in reduced utility bills. Or a family 
that purchases a new home that meets the standards in this bill can get 
as much as $2,000 returned to them by the tax incentives, in addition 
to the $300 or more in continuing energy savings.
  I urge other Members to join us in saving American consumers money, 
improving the air we breathe and the water we drink, increasing the 
competitiveness of American industries, and eliminating inefficiencies 
in the tax code by encouraging energy efficiency in our schools and our 
commercial and residential buildings.

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