U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Senator Rob Portman (R-OH) have reintroduced a wide-ranging energy bill with ten amendments, all with the aim of boosting energy efficiency in schools, commercial and residential properties, and federally-owned buildings.
“This bill has garnered such widespread support because of a simple fact — it is good for the economy and good for the environment,” Shaheen said. “It’s part of an energy plan for America that can help bring the jobs back, help fix our trade deficit, help make our manufacturers more competitive, and actually help to protect the environment.”
With the tweaks – which also include provisions allowing third parties to certify energy star appliances, and one that asks HUD to perform energy retrofits on low-income housing – the Senator says the Shaheen and Portman Energy Efficiency Bill now has the 60 votes it needs to overcome a filibuster.
“Scott Brown privately lobbied Senate Republicans to block a vote on his opponent Sen. Jeanne Shaheen’s (D-NH) bipartisan energy efficiency bill, and on Monday they did just that. But New Hampshire’s GOP senator voted for it anyway. And now Brown is in hot water with some local businesses.” reported Huffington Post.
“I’m not someone who generally weighs in on political matters, but I was outraged to learn of Scott Brown’s behind the scenes deal to block Senator Shaheen’s bipartisan bill that would have created close to 200,000 jobs,” said Dr. Kedar Gupta, co-founder and CEO of ARC Energy in Nashua, New Hampshire, in the release. “Brown placed politics over New Hampshire families and our nation’s energy and economic interests.”
“I told him what my position was on it and he didn’t push me on that or anything,” Senator Ayotte (NH) said. “Obviously, I just did what I thought was best based on my state and voted the way I thought I should.”