On Tuesday, January 28th, the U.S. House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Committee unanimously approved a bipartisan bill aimed at improving energy efficiency in tenant occupied buildings. The bill, which was co-authored by Reps. Peter Welch (D-VT) and David McKinley (R-WV), was proposed last May and has been making its way through different House channels and having cleared this latest hurdle it will be taken up by the full House sometime in the very near future.

Welch, as a member of the minority party, is a leading member of the energy committee and has been a vocal advocate of improving energy efficiency in the United States. The proposed bill has a narrow focus, however, and would give additional responsibilities to the Department of Energy (DOE). If this bill becomes a law, the DOE will be required to perform a study to determine any potential energy saving measures in spaces occupied by tenants, whether it is a residential or commercial building. It would also direct the General Services Administration to work with those leasing commercial spaces to find ways to decrease energy consumption.

While the bill does not outline any costs to the taxpayer for the DOE study, the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy estimates that the legislation could cut consumer and business energy costs by $2 billion by the year 2030.

"The Committee's action today demonstrates that energy efficiency is a policy area where there is common ground between both parties in Congress. Action on this bill and other pending efficiency initiatives will be good for the economy, good for the environment, and good for the bottom lines of American families and businesses," Rep. Welch said in a press release.

Having an energy audit from Alban Inspections is a great way to determine how you can reduce the your own energy consumption and improve your environmental sustainability.