Progress lags on climate legislation

As Congress returns from a raucous August recess dominated by the
 healthcare debate, progress lags on legislation to head off another
 challenge to our health and well-being as a nation: climate change. If there is one lesson that lawmakers can take from this summer it
 is
 that facts matter and common ground is essential to effective policymaking. In this sense, I am optimistic that we can make meaningful
 progress toward the goals of reducing American dependence on
 overseas
 oil and maximizing the nation’s energy efficiency. I am optimistic
 because many of the tools to reach these goals are at our fingertips
 in the form of existing, American-made products and practices.

Not surprisingly, the U.S. ranks as the largest national consumer of energy. Unfortunately, we are also the least energy-efficient nation in the developed world. The Japanese squeeze more than twice as much GDP from their energy consumption than does America, while Northwestern Europe is 20 percent more efficient.

The upside is that we have plenty of opportunity to become greener while growing the economy and maintaining our quality of life, without the draconian consequences that opponents of a climate bill point to. Specifically, there is a tremendous amount of inefficiency to be wrung out of the way we heat, cool and operate existing buildings, and in he design and construction of new buildings.

The Oak Ridge National Laboratory estimates that simply improving the “building envelope” (essentially the roof, walls, windows and spaces between each) of a facility using existing products can reduce energy use and greenhouse gas emissions by as much as 40 percent. A separate study by the McKinsey Global Institute projects overall residential energy demand could be slashed nearly 30 percent by 2020 through the adoption of readily available technologies such as modern heating and cooling systems, compact fluorescent lighting and high-efficiency water-heating systems and appliances.

President Obama has prioritized the acceleration of energy efficiency standards for lighting products and poured billions in stimulus funds into programs that will retrofit existing commercial, industrial and residential buildings. The administration has also committed to growing the knowledge base for a green economy by funding research into advanced energy technology and building a workforce capable of making both immediate and long-term efficiency gains happen. As the largest consumer of energy in the country, the federal government can also provide high-profile, high-impact leadership to the efficiency movement. The Bush administration took a positive step in this direction with the 2006 signing of the Federal Leadership in High Performance and Sustainable Buildings Memorandum of
 Understanding, an agreement across federal agencies to employ cutting-edge environmental principles in the design, operation and maintenance of the federal real estate portfolio. Some states and municipalities have done the same, and more will undoubtedly follow.

The main point is that we have available to us right now the tools to make serious progress toward a shared vision for gains in energy efficiency that the vast majority of Americans on both sides of the aisle can embrace. As the Senate considers climate change legislation and moves to a conference with the House, it’s my hope that this reality allows our elected leaders to bridge partisan divides and develop a strong, sustainable approach to energy conservation and climate change.

Dean is an independent consultant and strategic adviser to McKenna Long & Aldridge LLP, and to Democracy for America. The law firm has clients with an interest in energy efficiency; DFA advocates for climate change legislation. A former Vermont governor, presidential candidate and Democratic National Committee chairman, Dean is also a contributor to CNBC.

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