[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 163 (2017), Part 2]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 2175]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 IN SUPPORT OF H.R. 511, POWER AND SECURITY SYSTEMS (PASS) ACT OF 2017

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, February 6, 2017

  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 511, the 
Power and Security Systems Act of 2017, which will revise energy 
conservation standards for devices operating in standby mode.
  In the early 1970s, I, recall, as many of my colleagues do, the 
impact to our nation's economy when OPEC nations withheld oil from the 
United States, causing one of the greatest peace-time energy shortages 
in United States history.
  One of the remedial steps taken by the Carter Administration was the 
promulgation of regulations that required large appliances and 
equipment that used electricity to default to a power down mode when 
not in use.
  Today, we take for granted that machines power down when not in use, 
but this one change in energy policy over the last 40 years has saved 
taxpayers, which includes businesses and private homes, billions of 
dollars in energy costs.
  This was only one policy solution that was used to reduce our 
nation's dependence on foreign oil so that energy could go to vital 
services like fuel for electricity generation, gasoline, heating fuels, 
and diesel oil.
  H.R. 511, the bill before us, would extend energy conservation to 
digital technology that can operate in standby mode.
  Most digital device technology manufacturers already provide sleep 
mode on their devices to assist their users in conserving power on 
cellphones, smartphones, MP3 players, e-book readers, as well as 
desktop and laptop computers.
  Today, 68 percent of U.S. adults own a smartphone, up from 35 percent 
in 2011, and tablet computer ownership has edged up to 45 percent among 
adults, according to newly released survey data from the Pew Research 
Center.
  Considering not just smartphones, but all types of mobile phones, Pew 
notes that cellphones continue to top the list.
  Roughly nine-in-ten American adults or 92 percent own a mobile phone 
of some kind.
  Although these mobile devices are ubiquitous today, the share of 
adults who own one has risen substantially since 2004.
  Smartphone ownership is nearing the saturation point with some 
groups:
  1. 86 percent of those ages 18-29;
  2. 83 percent of those ages 30-49; and
  3. 87 percent of those living in households earning $75,000 and up 
annually own smartphones.
  These facts highlight the importance of energy conservation for 
mobile communication users.
  The battery life for these devices is limited and without power they 
are of no use to the user.
  This bill will help users remain connected as long as possible 
because the energy consumption on their cellphones and other digital 
devices will be minimized when they are not in use.
  Energy conservation will also assist consumers during times when 
power outages may occur due to weather or other electricity disruption.
  The longer power life for cellphones will benefit consumers by 
reducing the amount of electricity needed to recharge their personal 
devices.
  This bill will also benefit businesses that often have many computers 
that when in use can consume electricity if left on after business 
hours--especially over weekends.
  For these reasons, I ask my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 
511.

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