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As Nation Faces Economic Challenges Amid COVID-19 Pandemic, Sarbanes Calls for New Investments in Energy Efficiency Upgrades and Renewable Energy [Video]

June 16, 2020

At House Energy Subcommittee Hearing, Congressman Sarbanes Says, “We Know That Increasing Energy Efficiency Is a Win-Win”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – At a House Energy Subcommittee hearing today, Congressman John Sarbanes (D-Md.) urged his colleagues to make additional investments in energy efficiency and in renewable energy as the nation looks to strengthen its economy and recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Obviously, the pandemic has had a profound impact on our economy and as we look to the other side of this and getting our economy back on track, obviously, promoting a cleaner and healthier future for all communities is a critical priority," said Congressman Sarbanes.

Sarbanes continued: "We know that increasing energy efficiency is a win-win. It lowers energy costs and reduces carbon emissions. We've had the opportunity to work on some of those projects together in Maryland and in Baltimore in the past … it can be a way to reverse severe job loss … and it can involve funding to state energy offices – they could leverage private funding through performance contracting, resilience projects at hospitals, fire stations, schools, public buildings. Funding for DOE, DOD and GSA could also help leverage the performance contracting opportunities and increase resilience of federal facilities."

See below for the Congressman's full remarks.

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