Last March I held an event with Deputy Secretary Clay Sell in my district at a local Home Depot to discuss the importance of energy efficiency and to inform my constituents about provisions in the Energy Policy Act of 2005 that encourage the use of efficient products.

The Energy Policy Act of 2005 created a manufacturers tax credit for energy efficient dishwashers, clothes washers, and refrigerators in 2006 and 2007 and a residential solar tax credit for the installation of residential solar electricity systems.

But we are here to day to discuss other provisions of the Energy Bill, which required the Department of Energy to promulgate regulations setting minimum energy efficiency standards for a number of household appliances.

I know that residents of North Texas don't need to be told how important conservation can be. We know that when spring arrives a good fan and an open window can help circulate cool air. We try to save the air conditioner for the blazing hot summer.

The Energy Policy Act of 1992 required the Department of Energy to set efficiency standards for both central air conditioners and room air conditioners. This allows our constituents to make sure that they are saving energy and money whenever they turn on the AC.

Unfortunately, DOE has only completed one of two required rulemakings in each of these categories. That is the good news. Many of the appliance efficiency rulemakings dictated by that act 15 years ago have yet to receive any final action by DOE.

These delays have occurred during multiple Administrations, on both sides of the aisle. It is time that these standards move forward.
I understand that the Department of Energy has recently taken some positive steps towards resolving this backlog, partly as the result of a lawsuit settlement, and I hope to learn more today about what those steps were and additional steps that we can expect to be taken.

I am also looking forward to hearing from our witnesses about the energy gains that we can make by employing energy efficiency technology.

Mr. Chairman, conservation must be an important part of our strategy to wean ourselves from our dependence on foreign energy, so I thank you for holding this hearing today.