Press Releases

Today, U.S. Representatives Matt Cartwright (D-PA) and Bob Dold (R-IL) introduced the bipartisan Nonprofit Energy Efficiency Act.  Similar legislation has been introduced in the U.S. Senate by Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and John Hoeven (R-SD).

The cost-neutral legislation would establish a new pilot program at the U.S. Department of Energy to provide financial grants to non-profit organizations to help ensure that the buildings they own and operate become more energy efficient.  Under the proposal, nonprofits could apply for grants up to 50% of the total cost of the energy efficiency program—up to $200,000.

“This legislation will enable America’s schools, youth centers, houses of worship, and hospitals to reduce operating costs, lessen impact on the environment and bolster America’s energy independence,” said Rep. Cartwright.

“The United States currently wastes more energy than any other country in the world, costing hundreds of billions of dollars every year,” Rep. Dold said. "The bipartisan Nonprofit Energy Efficiency Act is a commonsense proposal to help nonprofit organizations become more energy efficient and protect the environment.”

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency — nonresidential buildings in the U.S. consume more than $200 billion annually in energy costs.  The United States is also home to 4000 Boys & Girls Clubs, 2700 YMCAs, 2900 nonprofit hospitals and more than 17,000 museums; these buildings account for a significant portion of annual greenhouse gas emissions.

“Nonprofit organizations provide an array of social welfare, educational, recreational and communal services to people from all walks of life,” said Nathan Diament, Executive Director for Public Policy of the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America.  “The “Nonprofit Energy Efficiency Act” will ensure that our job training workshops, English language classes, soup kitchens, clothing co-ops, tutoring sessions, homeless shelters, health clinics and more will continue to take place in buildings that are properly heated, cooled, and lit in an efficient and sustainable manner.”

Among nonprofits in the U.S., there are approximately 370,000 houses of worship and, according to the EPA; they collectively spend more than $3 billion dollars in annual energy costs.

This legislation has been endorsed by the following organizations: Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, National Council of Churches, Jewish Federations of North America, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Sojourners , General Conference of Seventh Day Adventists, YMCA of the U.S.A., Friends Committee on National Legislation (Quakers), Interfaith Power & Light, Association of Art Museum Directors, Baha’i Office of Public Affairs, The Salvation Army National Headquarters