Kuster, colleagues reintroduce bill to lower energy costs, create jobs, support community energy projects
U.S. Rep Annie Kuster
WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Annie Kuster (NH-02) reintroduced the Community Energy Savings Program Act of 2021 (CESP), legislation that would promote the expansion of clean energy projects in New Hampshire and across the country by providing low-interest financing to consumers and communities that want to make clean energy investments. The CESP Act was also introduced in the U.S. Senate today, in an effort led by U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR).
“With New Hampshire communities already experiencing the negative impacts of climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic highlighting the existing need for affordable energy solutions, policies to expand access to affordable, clean energy projects have never been more timely or essential,” said Rep. Kuster. “I’m proud to reintroduce the Community Energy Savings Program Act to lower the financial barrier for Americans who wish to finance energy efficient and renewable energy projects. This legislation will help to drive down energy bills for Granite State families, create new green energy jobs, and protect our environment by reducing carbon pollution.”
“Lots of families in my blue collar neighborhood would love to reduce their energy bills, but can’t afford the up-front costs of investing in better insulation, new windows, or a more efficient boiler,” said Sen. Merkley. “But if we, together, cover those up-front costs with cheap loans, those families can repay them from their savings on their utility bills. They’ll have more money in their pockets, and we’ll all have less pollution in our skies fueling catastrophic wildfires, droughts, and other disasters.”
The Community Energy Savings Program (CESP) Act would finance energy efficiency and renewable energy projects through the existing Department of Energy’s State Energy Program. The bill provides multiple financing options to consumers, public utilities, and local governments to advance larger-scale clean energy projects. This bill also ensures that the Department of Energy can provide technical assistance to support the deployment of these clean energy programs.