Letter Urging Funding for EPAct05 and EISA Technology Provisions

TO THE MEMBERS OF THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS:

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the world's largest business federation representing more than three million businesses and organizations of every size, sector, and region, believes any plan to address our nation's energy and climate challenges begins with full funding and implementation of the energy efficiency and technology provisions of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct) and the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA). EPAct and EISA together contain over 130 provisions that require federal agencies to undertake research, development and demonstration of new technologies, to engage in public/private partnerships, or to make available financial incentives to the private sector for the development of these new energy technologies, which range from solar energy and fuel cells to biofuels and clean coal.

The Chamber is pleased that the energy provisions in H.R. 1, the "American Recovery and Reinvestment Act," direct money to several unfunded, under-funded or outright ignored provisions of EPAct and EISA. However, even more is needed. As you head to conference on H.R. 1, the Chamber encourages you to review its recently-released report, EPAct 05: Enactment +3, available here. EPAct 05: Enactment +3 reviews the 130 technologies enacted by the Congress in just the past four years, many of which have not been given a chance to succeed.

If we are to truly increase our energy security and make America stronger, safer and cleaner for future generations—Congress' stated goals in drafting EISA in 2007—we must focus on the development of many new and emerging energy technologies. The Chamber strongly supports the full funding and implementation of the technology provisions in EPAct and EISA.

Sincerely,

R. Bruce Josten