Press Releases

Last night, Congressman Matt Cartwright’s Streamlining Energy Efficiency for Schools Act of 2014 (H.R. 4092) unanimously passed the U.S. House of Representatives.  The legislation, introduced by Cartwright in March, would establish a clearinghouse through the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.  The clearinghouse will publish information on federal programs and financing tools that may be used to develop energy efficiency, distributed generation, and energy retrofitting projects for schools.

“I am pleased that the House unanimously passed my legislation and look forward to working with my colleagues in the Senate to ensure swift action is taken,” said U.S. Rep. Cartwright.  “The bill is a strategic and cost-saving measure to help relieve the fiscal pressure felt by schools across the country while increasing our energy security.”

Companion legislation to H.R. 4092 is also advancing in the Senate, introduced as the Streamlining Energy Efficiency for Schools Act of 2013 (S. 1084) by Senators Mark Udall (CO) and Susan Collins (ME).

“Our pursuit of true energy self-reliance depends on supporting energy-efficiency initiatives.  My bipartisan Streamlining Energy Efficiency for Schools Act is essential to ensure that Colorado and the nation's schools can more easily take advantage of energy-efficiency programs,” U.S. Senator Mark Udall said. “The U.S. House of Representatives' vote shows the growing, bipartisan momentum for not only my common-sense and cost-saving bill, but also strengthening our nation's energy efficiency.”

Cartwright has introduced 42 bills this Congress, including H.R. 4092 which is the first to pass out of the House under his name.  Earlier this year, Cartwright’s bill that provided a 1 percent raise to hourly federal workers, including at the Tobyhanna Army Depot in Monroe County, was included in a broader spending bill.