MASSPIRG Calls on Legislature to Pass Energy Efficiency Bill
MASSPIRG urges Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy to support S. 1986/H. 2832 An Act relative to Energy Savings Efficiency filed by Senator Lewis and Representative Cutler and a bipartisan group of 100 legislators. The bill updates energy and water efficiency standards for common household and commercial appliances. Efficiency standards ensure that the products we purchase use less energy and water, save money and protect public health.
MASSPIRG Testimony before the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy
Chairman Thomas Golden
Chairman Michael Barrett
Members of the Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy
Statehouse, Boston MA
May 30, 2019
RE: S. 1986/H. 2832 An Act relative to Energy Savings Efficiency
MASSPIRG is a statewide, non-profit and non-partisan consumer advocacy organization working to protect consumers’ health and pocket books for more than 45 years. We have been working on energy efficiency issues for decades and supported the passage of the Massachusetts Appliance Standards Act in 2004.
We are here today to fully support S. 1986/H. 2832 An Act relative to Energy Savings Efficiency filed by Senator Lewis and Representative Cutler and a bipartisan group of 100 legislators and urge you to support the bill as you did last session.
The bill updates energy and water efficiency standards for common household and commercial appliances. Efficiency standards ensure that the products we purchase use less energy and water while preserving quality and affordability.
Our current energy and water use practices harm our environment, the climate and our health — and to make matters worse, much of the energy we produce is wasted. The cleanest form of energy is the energy we don’t consume in the first place. Using energy and water more efficiently means less pollution and a healthier climate, planet and people.
Adopting efficiency standards for appliances and household products would significantly reduce our energy and water consumption, help prevent air and water pollution and climate-altering carbon emissions; while saving consumers money.
If these updated appliance standards were adopted, Massachusetts residents, businesses, and local and state governments would save more than $138 million annually by 2025. These savings grow to $287 million annually by 2035.
S. 1986/H. 2832 will bring key benefits to Massachusetts
· Affordability: Consumers and businesses save money on utility bills with reduced consumption
· Cleaner Energy: Public health and air quality improve when carbon emissions and pollutants are cut
· Water Savings: Reduced strain on water infrastructure lessens need for expensive water
· Climate Goals: Helps state meet goals of Global Warming Solutions Act and maintains top rating for Energy Efficiency
· #2 Energy Saving tool: After fuel economy standards, appliance standards rank as the biggest energy saver!
We urge you to pass the bill quickly from your committee.
Sincerely,
Deirdre Cummings
Legislative Director
MASSPIRG
Authors
Deirdre Cummings
Legislative Director, MASSPIRG
Deirdre runs MASSPIRG’s public health, consumer protection and tax and budget programs. Deirdre has led campaigns to improve public records law and require all state spending to be transparent and available on an easy-to-use website, close $400 million in corporate tax loopholes, protect the state’s retail sales laws to reduce overcharges and preserve price disclosures, reduce costs of health insurance and prescription drugs, and more. Deirdre also oversees a Consumer Action Center in Weymouth, Mass., which has mediated 17,000 complaints and returned $4 million to Massachusetts consumers since 1989. Deirdre currently resides in Maynard, Mass., with her family. Over the years she has visited all but one of the state's 351 towns — Gosnold.