Senator Mark Pryor Press Releases

WASHINGTON D.C. – Senator Mark Pryor said legislation signed into law by President Bush today will help boost the military’s efforts to integrate energy-efficient products in military housing and construction.

During Senate consideration of the John Warner National Defense Authorization Bill for Fiscal Year 2007, Pryor included the provision as part of a larger initiative to reduce energy bills for military households and the Pentagon, enhance energy security and protect the environment. Specifically, his provision calls on the Department of Defense to consider products that meet or exceed the Energy Star specifications or are recommended by the Department of Energy’s Federal Energy Management Program.

“As families seek new ways to conserve energy and save on their energy bills, so should our military especially since taxpayers foot its $7.4 billion energy bill last year,” Pryor said. “This law will encourage greater energy and cost savings within the government, and is a step towards providing greater energy security for our nation.”

The Energy Star standard was established by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 1992 to help businesses, organizations and individuals identify and use energy efficient technologies in their homes and workplaces. Pryor said military personnel would benefit from Energy Star products installed in their homes, which use about 30 percent less energy than other homes and thus cost about 30 percent less to operate. For example, he said the average household spends an estimated $1,900 each year on energy bills. If military contractors installed Energy Star-qualified products, a military household could save about $600 a year. Typical features of an Energy Star home include advanced insulation, tight construction, high-performance windows and high-efficiency heating and cooling systems.

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		October 17, 2006 Press Release Pryor Provision to Improve Energy-Efficiency in Military Housing and Construction Becomes Law WASHINGTON D.C. – Senator Mark Pryor said legislation signed into law by President Bush today will help boost the military’s efforts to integrate energy-efficient products in military housing and construction. During Senate consideration of the John Warner National Defense Authorization Bill for Fiscal Year 2007, Pryor included the provision as part of a larger initiative to reduce energy bills for military households and the Pentagon, enhance energy security and protect the environment. Specifically, his provision calls on the Department of Defense to consider products that meet or exceed the Energy Star specifications or are recommended by the Department of Energy’s Federal Energy Management Program. “As families seek new ways to conserve energy and save on their energy bills, so should our military especially since taxpayers foot its $7.4 billion energy bill last year,” Pryor said. “This law will encourage greater energy and cost savings within the government, and is a step towards providing greater energy security for our nation.” The Energy Star standard was established by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 1992 to help businesses, organizations and individuals identify and use energy efficient technologies in their homes and workplaces. Pryor said military personnel would benefit from Energy Star products installed in their homes, which use about 30 percent less energy than other homes and thus cost about 30 percent less to operate. For example, he said the average household spends an estimated $1,900 each year on energy bills. If military contractors installed Energy Star-qualified products, a military household could save about $600 a year. Typical features of an Energy Star home include advanced insulation, tight construction, high-performance windows and high-efficiency heating and cooling systems. ###