House panel summarizes Architecture of Abundance energy legislation

The U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee's Energy and Power Subcommittee released on Tuesday a summary of proposed energy and power legislation expected to modernize energy infrastructure, build a 21st century energy and manufacturing workforce and promote energy efficiency and government accountability.

If signed into law, the legislation would promote private sector innovation and energy efficient technology.

The proposed Architecture of Abundance legislation also would: 

- require the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to report on federal energy savings performance contracts, including investment value, guaranteed vs. actual savings.

- direct the DOE to establish a clearinghouse to disseminate information regarding available programs and financing to promote energy efficiency in schools.

- require the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to establish an Office of Compliance Assistance and Public Participation to be responsible for promoting improved compliance with commission regulations.

- require federal agencies to develop a strategy for the maintenance, purchase and use of energy efficient technologies with OMB tracking their progress.

- expand the definition of “renewable energy” to include thermal energy and qualified waste heat, and excludes certain recyclable paper from the definition of “municipal solid waste.”

To read the summary, go to http://energycommerce.house.gov/news-center.