The Nonprofit Energy Efficiency Act would create a grant program that will help nonprofits—including places of worship, faith-based organizations, and youth centers—afford the materials needed to improve the energy efficiency of their buildings and generate renewable energy

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and John Hoeven (R-ND) announced today that their bipartisan legislation to help nonprofits save money on energy efficiency upgrades has passed the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. The Nonprofit Energy Efficiency Act would create a grant program that will help nonprofits—including places of worship, faith-based organizations, and youth centers—afford the materials needed to improve the energy efficiency of their buildings and generate renewable energy. 

“Nonprofits shouldn’t be forced to decide between important community services and investing in energy efficiency improvements,” Klobuchar said. “Today’s vote brings us one step closer to providing nonprofits with the funding they need to upgrade their buildings, go green, and save money that can be turned around and invested in their vital work."

“We are pleased that the Energy Committee advanced our legislation, which will help non-profit organizations achieve their energy efficiency goals,” Hoeven said. “This will help them to conserve energy and cut down on operating costs, so they can focus more of their resources on the people they serve.” 

The legislation would provide $10 million each year for the next five years to create a pilot grant program at the U.S. Department of Energy (DoE) to support nonprofits in purchasing materials for energy efficiency projects. The grants would promote energy efficiency by supporting the purchase of materials for upgrades to existing infrastructure as well as renewable energy generators and heaters. Nonprofits could apply for grants up to $200,000. The legislation is supported by the National Council of Churches, the YMCA of the USA, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, and the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations, among other organizations.

In 2016, a provision based on Klobuchar and Hoeven’s Nonprofit Energy Efficiency Act passed the Senate as part of the bipartisan energy bill.

In her time in the Senate, Klobuchar has supported a comprehensive approach to combatting climate change that would reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote the development of energy efficient technologies and homegrown energy resources. As a member of the Senate Climate Action Taskforce, she has fought to ensure that efforts to address the threat of climate change are a part of our nation’s energy and environmental policy. Klobuchar strongly supports the Paris Climate Agreement and has pushed the Administration to rejoin the Agreement. She has also opposed cabinet members who doubt the science of climate change and deny that it is occurring.

Last month, Klobuchar introduced new legislation to estimate the impact of federal government contracts on climate change. The Buy Clean Transparency Act would address greenhouse gas emissions associated with international trade by determining the emissions associated with bids for federal government contracts focused on public projects. The legislation would not only help mitigate climate change—it would also create good jobs and benefit domestic manufacturers who engage in sustainable practices but whose efforts have been underappreciated during bids for federal projects. In May, she joined her colleagues to introduce the Clean Energy for America Act, legislation that would consolidate the current 44 energy incentives into three technology-neutral provisions that encourage clean electricity, clean transportation, and energy efficiency. In April, Klobuchar and Senator Jerry Moran (R-KS) introduced new bipartisan legislation to help rural communities access renewable energy. The Expanding Access to Sustainable Energy (EASE) Act will assist rural communities and rural electricity cooperatives overcome the barriers to renewable energy storage and grid improvements by providing access to relevant resources and expertise.

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