[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 9]
[House]
[Pages 12216-12217]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                           ENERGY EFFICIENCY

  (Mr. TONKO asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. TONKO. President Obama has outlined a bold vision for a 
significant change in our Nation's energy policy. In keeping with the 
theme this evening of energy efficiency, I share with you a vision that 
the President has borne that will take and highlight energy efficiency.

[[Page 12217]]

  Energy efficiency should be our fuel of choice, a fuel we need to 
drill and mine like we currently drill for oil and mine for coal. We 
must invest in demand-side energy solutions as well as supply-side.
  Madam Speaker, we must diversify our energy portfolio and achieve 
efficient outcomes.
  For example, this summer in New York State, almost 45 percent of a 
homeowner's utility bill will go for heating and cooling. For every 
degree the thermostat is set below 78 degrees, the customer will use 3 
to 5 percent more electricity.
  When government implements rate-based or taxpayer-funded demand-side 
management programs, the public policy is clear--the kilowatt saved is 
the cheapest, cleanest and the quickest kilowatt we can produce.
  Madam Speaker, as we move to create legislation that focuses on clean 
energy jobs, we must remember the important role that energy efficiency 
has to play.

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