Earlier this week, both the House and Senate passed H.R. 6582, which places a focus on important energy efficiency measures that provide opportunities for the glass container industry, in coordination with the Department of Energy (DOE) and other stakeholders, to reduce energy usage, and develop strategies to increase efficiency at the manufacturing level.
The House-passed bill incorporated several key elements of S. 1000, the “Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act,” introduced in 2011 by Senators Rob Portman (R-OH) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH). The bill has been sent to President Obama for his consideration.
This legislation encourages partnerships between the federal government and manufacturers. Specifically, DOE in coordination with the industrial sector and other stakeholders will conduct a study on legal, regulatory and economic barriers to deployment of industrial energy efficiency efforts. This includes the estimated energy savings available from the use of recycled material in energy-intensive manufacturing processes.
Additionally, the study and analysis to be performed by the DOE includes consideration of the economic impact that matching grants would have on efficiency efforts.
In recognizing the legislation, GPI President Lynn Bragg said, “The glass container manufacturing industry continues its efforts to reduce energy use through the increased use of recycled glass. GPI strongly supports this bipartisan effort. This sets the framework for overall energy reduction, with the potential to support thousands of manufacturing jobs in the domestic glass container industry.”
GPI and member companies look forward to working with the DOE and other stakeholders in developing programs that highlight energy efficiency opportunities at glass container manufacturing plants directed by the legislation.
About GPI
On behalf of the North American glass container manufacturers, the Glass Packaging Institute promotes glass as the optimal packaging choice, advances environmental and recycling policies, advocates industry standards and educates packaging professionals. GPI member companies manufacture glass containers for food, beverage, cosmetic and many other products. GPI associate members represent a broad range of suppliers to the industry.
