[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 97 (Tuesday, June 26, 2012)]
[House]
[Pages H3984-H3985]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
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.
[[Page H3985]]
{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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