Clean Energy Leadership Act includes NEMA provisions.

Press Release Summary:



Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee approved American Clean Energy Leadership Act of 2009 by bipartisan vote of 15-8. Bill includes recommendations that NEMA provided when it testified before committee in March. Some key provisions include: create Clean Energy Investment Fund, establish national Renewable Electricity Standard, require FERC to develop interconnection-wide transmission plan, and establish financing mechanisms for large and small manufacturers.



Original Press Release:



NEMA Provisions Included in Senate American Clean Energy Leadership Act Legislation



ROSSLYN, Va., June 18, 2009-The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee approved the American Clean Energy Leadership Act of 2009 by a bipartisan vote of 15-8, following months of hearings and meetings with various industries, including NEMA. The June 17 bill includes recommendations that NEMA provided when it testified before the committee In March. The legislation now proceeds to the full Senate for consideration at a time yet to be determined.

"I commend Committee Chairman Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) and Ranking Member Lisa Murkowski
(R-AK) for their work in hammering out a bipartisan bill that will significantly improve our nation's energy security, efficiency, and competitiveness," said NEMA President and CEO Evan R. Gaddis. "This legislation is a true testament that we can find common ground and advance policies that address our nation's critical challenges."

The bill includes key provisions that:

o Create a Clean Energy Investment Fund that would provide various types of credit to support deployment of clean energy technologies, including loans and loan guarantees

o Establish a national Renewable Electricity Standard (RES) whereby sellers of electricity must obtain 15 percent of their electricity from renewable energy sources by 2020, with interim RES levels starting in 2011

o Require the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to develop an interconnection-wide transmission plan, and gives FERC jurisdiction over transmission siting when states have either been unable to site the transmission facility or have denied the application

o Establish financing mechanisms for large and small manufacturers to improve the efficiency of their operations through the adoption of energy-efficient technologies and processes

o Establish federal energy efficiency standards for portable light fixtures (table and floor lamps) and direct the Department of Energy (DOE) to set standards for certain incandescent reflector lamps

o Establish a $350 million rebate program to purchase and install NEMA Premium® efficiency electric motors

o Direct DOE to complete studies on compliance with federal efficiency standards; the costs and benefits of requiring direct-current lines in buildings; and conducting a market assessment of electric motors, drives, controls, and recommendations on improving deployment of these technologies

o Direct DOE to work with building code organizations (i.e., ASHRAE and ICC) to develop residential and commercial building model codes that are 30 percent higher by 2010 and 50 percent higher after 2016

o Increase funding assistance from DOE to the states for code compliance, training, and technical analysis; states would be required to certify to DOE if they have achieved compliance with building codes

o Authorize competitive grants to states to carry out retrofit programs for residential and commercial building upgrading

o Authorize the creation of a model building energy performance label for commercial and residential buildings which would lead to opportunities to improve building efficiency

o Promote distributed generation by directing FERC to establish a national interconnection standard for small production facilities (15 kW or less)

For summary of the legislation, please visit:
nema.org/gov/energy/efficiency/upload/
The%20American%20Clean%20Energy%20Leadership%20Act.pdf

NEMA is the association of electrical and medical imaging equipment manufacturers. Founded in 1926 and headquartered near Washington, D.C., its approximately 450 member companies manufacture products used in the generation, transmission and distribution, control, and end use of electricity. These products are used in utility, industrial, commercial, institutional, and residential applications. The association's Medical Imaging & Technology Alliance (MITA) Division represents manufacturers of cutting-edge medical diagnostic imaging equipment including MRI, CT, x-ray, and ultrasound products. Worldwide sales of NEMA-scope products exceed $120 billion. In addition to its headquarters in Rosslyn, Virginia, NEMA also has offices in Beijing and Mexico City.

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