Sen. Shaheen Hosts Policy Roundtable with GPIC

Christine Knapp
Manager of Public and Client Relations
GPIC Hub

Note: This blog is reposted from GPICHUB.org

On Monday, March 19, GPIC hosted a roundtable discussion with two national leaders focused on creating a public policy environment that supports energy efficient retrofits. U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Representative Allyson Schwartz (D-PA) toured the Navy Yard and led a roundtable discussion with high profile experts from industry, academia, economic development agencies and others.

“Sen. Shaheen is a recognized leader on energy efficiency issues, and we’re grateful for her interest and support for GPIC. The roundtable discussion helped GPIC and our allies identify ways in which legislation can help accelerate the market for energy efficient building retrofits” said Dr. Henry C. Foley, Executive Director of GPIC and the Penn State Vice President for Research.

Sen. Shaheen is a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources committee, and introduced the bi-partisan “Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act” that would enact a national energy efficiency strategy. She was one of many members of Congress that met with GPIC leadership in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Energy Town Hall on Energy Innovation Hubs on March 6 in Washington, D.C., in which GPIC participated.

Senate Hearing Highlights Sustainable Success by the Navy and Marine Corps

Bryan Howard
Legislative Director
U.S. Green Building Council

Senator Jeanne Shaheen (NH) and Senator Mark Warner (VA) convened a field hearing on the USS Kearsarge on the role of the Navy and Marine Corps in reducing energy consumption, minimizing water use and expanding renewable energy generation. As a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, Senator Shaheen has been heavily involved in advancing energy efficiency efforts including her work with Senator Rob Portman (OH) on S. 1000, the “Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act.”

The hearing featured testimony from Navy Secretary Ray Mabus, former Senator John Warner of Virginia and other leaders from the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. While the hearing varied in topics from weapons systems to alternative fuels it did have a fair share of discussion about the role of buildings in driving down energy costs Navy wide.