ROSSLYN, Va., May 12, 2011—The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA)
today congratulated U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Rob Portman (R-OH) on the introduction of the Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act of 2011.
The comprehensive bill addresses consensus efficiency standards for appliances and promotes the use of advanced metering infrastructure in federal buildings, among other provisions. According to NEMA President and CEO Evan R. Gaddis, its focus on industrial competitiveness is what makes this legislation uniquely important to American manufacturing.
“The Shaheen-Portman legislation targets market barriers to greater investment in industrial energy efficiency,” said Gaddis. “It will encourage domestic industrial facilities to make energy-saving investments here in the U.S., which will improve their global competitiveness, support U.S. jobs, and increase our energy security, instead of allowing these investments to be made overseas.”
The industrial sector consumes one-third of all energy in the United States. NEMA’s Industrial Energy Efficiency Coalition members work with manufacturers to save energy in industrial systems and processes through implementation of control and automation technologies.
Speaking on behalf of the Industrial Energy Efficiency Coalition, Paul Hamilton said, "Investment and innovation in our manufacturing processes will be essential to industrial competitiveness in the U.S. This bill will encourage the modernization that is critical to energy savings, improved cost positions, and environmental compliance. NEMA member companies are well-positioned to play a key role in achieving our industrial energy efficiency goals."
The Industrial Energy Efficiency Coalition is a global consortium of companies seeking to improve energy efficiency in industrial systems and processes and in business ecosystems.
Charter members of the Industrial Energy Efficiency Coalition are ABB, Eaton Corporation, GE, Rockwell Automation, Schneider Electric, and Siemens.
Important provisions of the Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act of 2011 include:
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Industrial energy-efficiency revolving loan fund for projects including those using industrial automation technologies, such as sensors, meters, information networks, controls, and drives