Renewable Energy

New Republican Co-Chair for House Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Caucus

By

February 25, 2013

On February 5, the House Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Caucus announced that Rep. Dave Reichert (R-WA) [pictured, right] and Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) [pictured, left] will be serving as co-chairs for the 113th Congress. On the Senate side, Sen. Mark Udall (D-CO) and Sen. Mike Crapo (R-ID) will continue to serve as co-chairs. The bipartisan Caucuses work to increase awareness of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies in the United States. The Caucuses provide information to Representatives and Senators interested in putting forward clean energy legislation but do not support specific legislation.


GET THE WORD OUT
  1. Find your Representative and your Senators
  2. Check to see if they are part of the Caucus
  3. If not, write or call them!

Both Rep. Reichert and Rep. Van Hollen expressed excitement about working together. Rep. Reichert noted, “Chris understands, as do I, that moving closer to energy independence requires that we utilize the multiple resources available to us. By making the most of renewable sources and new technologies, in addition to the natural resources America is blessed with, we will be able to provide for a more stable, secure America.” According to Rep. Van Hollen, “Dave Reichert has been a real leader on the issue of renewable energy and energy efficiency… We must continue to build America’s clean energy future, and I know Dave will be a strong partner in that effort.”

The co-chairs are hoping to grow the Caucus membership, and they need your help. Please check to see if your Member of Congress is a participant and if not, encourage them to join (you can use the language below as a model).

And be sure to save the date – Wednesday, June 12 – for the 16th Annual Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Technology Expo and Policy Forum which is hosted by the House and Senate Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Caucuses and sponsored by the Sustainable Energy Coalition, of which EESI is a member.

Sources and Resources:

  • Press Release from Rep. Reichert
  • Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Caucus Members
  • Find your Representative
  • Find your Senators



    • MODEL LETTER FOR REPRESENTATIVES ( Find your Representative ):

    Dear Representative,

    I am ___________[Name] of ___________[City], _______[State]. As one of your constituents, I urge you to join the House Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (RE/EE) Caucus.

    The RE/EE Caucus is a bipartisan, information-sharing organization founded in 1996 to promote greater awareness among Members of Congress about the status and potential of energy efficiency and renewable energy (i.e., biomass/biofuels, geothermal, solar, wind, and hydropower, including hydrokinetic technologies) as well as other cleaner energy technologies such as fuel cells, renewable hydrogen, and combined heat and power (CHP). The Caucus provides its Members with announcements of related events of interest and a weekly compilation of news stories on energy efficiency and renewable energy developments around the country.

    Renewable energy presently provides more than 12 percent of the nation's domestic energy production and 13 percent of its electrical generation. Technologies such as wind, biofuels, and photovoltaics are among the nation's fastest growing sources of energy supply. Combined, the renewable energy and energy efficiency industries include thousands of domestic companies that are providing an ever-growing number of jobs in every state and community in the United States. These technologies help to curb reliance on energy imports and lessen energy costs thereby enhancing both national and homeland security.

    The House Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Caucus is co-chaired by Representatives David Reichert (R-WA) and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD). To join, please contact their offices.

    Thank you for your time and consideration,



    MODEL LETTER FOR SENATORS ( Find your Senators ):

    Dear Senator,

    I am ___________[Name] of ___________[City], _______[State]. As one of your constituents, I urge you to join the Senate Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (RE/EE) Caucus.

    The RE/EE Caucus is a bipartisan, information-sharing organization founded in 1996 to promote greater awareness among Members of Congress about the status and potential of energy efficiency and renewable energy (i.e., biomass/biofuels, geothermal, solar, wind, and hydropower, including hydrokinetic technologies) as well as other cleaner energy technologies such as fuel cells, renewable hydrogen, and combined heat and power (CHP). The Caucus provides its Members with announcements of related events of interest and a weekly compilation of news stories on energy efficiency and renewable energy developments around the country.

    Renewable energy presently provides more than 12 percent of the nation's domestic energy production and 13 percent of its electrical generation. Technologies such as wind, biofuels, and photovoltaics are among the nation's fastest growing sources of energy supply. Combined, the renewable energy and energy efficiency industries include thousands of domestic companies that are providing an ever-growing number of jobs in every state and community in the United States. These technologies help to curb reliance on energy imports and lessen energy costs thereby enhancing both national and homeland security.

    The Senate Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Caucus is co-chaired by Sen. Mark Udall (D-CO) and Sen. Mike Crapo (R-ID). To join, please contact their offices.

    Thank you for your time and consideration,