CALLS ON CONGRESS TO ENACT COMPREHENSIVE ENERGY EFFICIENCY LEGISLATION

WHEREAS, energy efficiency is the quickest, cheapest, cleanest way to extend our nation’s energy supplies, save money for consumers and the country as a whole, and protect the environment; and

WHEREAS, further discoveries of traditional energy sources and development of renewable technologies will contribute to America’s growing energy base, energy efficiency technologies and practices represent many of the least costly options for meeting the country’s future energy needs; and

WHERAS, estimates suggest that the economy-wide net savings from energy efficiency investments could be more than a half trillion dollars over a decade as the cost of investments is more than offset by reduced energy costs; and

WHEREAS, building codes and appliance efficiency standards can accelerate the adoption of technologies that lower the net costs consumers face; and

WHEREAS, insulation reduces average home heating and cooling costs by around 20 percent; and

WHEREEAS, more than one-third of all energy in the United States is used by industry and more than 40 percent if transport of manufactured goods is included; and

WHEREAS, buildings consume 40 percent of the nation’s energy use; and

WHEREAS, despite challenging economic times, cities continue to explore and implement technologies to improve the energy efficiency of city assets and services, especially municipally-owned buildings; and

WHEREAS, cities view energy efficiency as a key part of their strategic planning, with over nine in ten cities (94%) saying this is an important goal of their energy strategy; and

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that The United States Conference of Mayors hereby calls upon the Congress and the Administration to work together to make the issue of energy efficiency a priority and to enact energy efficiency legislation that further promotes energy efficiency throughout the economy.