A Closer Look at the Shaheen-Portman Energy Efficiency Bill

The Shaheen-Portman Energy Efficiency Bill (S. 761) aims to reduce U.S. energy use and emissions through building codes, financing, and technical assistance. While it targets high-emission sectors like residential, commercial, and industrial buildings, its impact is uncertain due to the voluntary nature of key provisions. The document argues that while the bill is a positive step, more mandatory standards and the inclusion of transport and electric power sectors are needed to meet the U.S. 2020 emissions-reduction target.

• The Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act of 2013 (S. 761), also known as the Shaheen-Portman bill, promotes energy efficiency in industry and residential and commercial buildings using a combination of rebate programs, technical assistance, voluntary labeling, financing, and building codes.
• The United States is projected to miss its 2020 emissions-reduction target of 17 percent below 2005 levels by more than 470 million metric tons of carbon dioxide if no policy interventions or market changes occur.
• Ambitious energy efficiency measures in the industrial, commercial, and residential sectors could address 47 percent of the gap between business-as-usual emissions and the 2020 U.S. target, reducing emissions by 220 million metric tons of carbon dioxide according to the 2013 Annual Energy Outlook (AEO).
• The actual emissions impact of the Shaheen-Portman bill is uncertain because many of its provisions are voluntary or grant the Secretary of Energy significant implementation discretion, making it unlikely to achieve the full reductions described in the AEO's ambitious scenario.
• To increase the bill's effectiveness and support President Obama's Climate Action Plan, the document suggests implementing mandatory building energy codes, establishing minimum efficiency performance standards for new industrial equipment, and expanding the scope to include the electric power and transport sectors.

APA

Aden, N. (2013). A Closer Look at the Shaheen-Portman Energy Efficiency Bill. World Resources Institute. https://www.wri.org/insights/closer-look-shaheen-portman-energy-efficiency-bill

Chicago

Aden, Nate. A Closer Look at the Shaheen-Portman Energy Efficiency Bill. World Resources Institute, 2013. https://www.wri.org/insights/closer-look-shaheen-portman-energy-efficiency-bill.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Aden |first1=Nate |title=A Closer Look at the Shaheen-Portman Energy Efficiency Bill |publisher=World Resources Institute |date=25 July 2013 |url=https://www.wri.org/insights/closer-look-shaheen-portman-energy-efficiency-bill |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{aden2013closer, author = {Aden, Nate}, title = {{A Closer Look at the Shaheen-Portman Energy Efficiency Bill}}, institution = {World Resources Institute}, year = {2013}, month = jul, url = {https://www.wri.org/insights/closer-look-shaheen-portman-energy-efficiency-bill}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }