President Bush Signs Energy Bill for a Greener America

What you should know about the new
Federal Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007

On December 18, 2007, President Bush signed the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (the Act). The Act includes provisions to enhance energy conservation and efficiency. It includes a number of actions and studies which will encourage energy savings, the development of renewable energy sources, addressing corporate average fuel economy standards, and addressing green building standards for Federal buildings. A few specific provisions which may be of interest to your organization include:

Green Buildings and Energy-Efficient Products

The Act requires Federal buildings to "get green." If your company supplies products or services to Federal buildings, you need to be aware of these changes. For example, the Act requires all general purpose lighting in Federal buildings to use Energy Star products or products designed under the Energy Department's Federal Energy Management Program by the end of 2013.

The Act updates the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to set new appliance efficiency standards intended to encourage energy conservation and efficiency. This includes revised standards for the efficiency of heating and cooling products, diversifying the country's energy supply with renewable sources, residential boiler efficiency, electric motor efficiency, and home appliances.

The Act also establishes an Office of High-Performance Green Buildings in the U.S. General Administration, which will promote green building technology implementation in Federal buildings.

Advantages for Small Businesses

The Act establishes a number of programs for small businesses, including requiring the Small Business Administration to establish and coordinate a program to assist small business in becoming more energy efficient, understand cost savings from improved energy efficiency and identify options for energy efficiency upgrades. The Act provides for financial incentives to help small business develop energy efficient technologies and purchases. It also provides information to small businesses to reduce energy costs.

Cleaning Up Coal

The Act begins to address the issues of carbon capture and sequestration to come up with a cleaner way to use coal – authorizing a nationwide assessment of geological formations capable of sequestering carbon dioxide underground and expansive research and development, including large-volume sequestration tests in a variety of different geological formations.

How Green Is Your Organization?

Click here for a copy of the Act. For more information on how the Act impacts and/or benefits your organization, please contact Kristina M. Tridico of Ice Miller's Green Industries Initiative, supporting Sustainable Development and Clean Technology.

This publication is intended for general information purposes only and does not and is not intended to constitute legal advice.  The reader must consult with legal counsel to determine how laws or decisions discussed herein apply to the reader's specific circumstances.