The U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources held a hearing on several pieces of legislation designed to increase and support energy efficiency in the United States. Among the bills considered was the Nonprofit Energy Efficiency Act (S.600)—bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senators John Hoeven (R-ND) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and developed in close partnership with the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America, which is spearheading a coalition of nonprofit groups supporting this legislation.
S.600 will create a new federal grants program to support nonprofits making energy efficiency improvements to their buildings. S.600 will thus enable America’s schools, youth centers, houses of worship, hospitals etc. to reduce their operating costs, lessen impact on the environment and bolster America’s energy independence. Under the proposal, $50 million would be authorized for Fiscal Years 2016-2020; nonprofits could apply for grants up to 50 percent of the total cost of the energy efficiency program—up to $200,000.
Read more on the OU Advocacy website.