Washington, D.C.—Today, the House overwhelmingly passed an energy efficiency bill introduced by Reps. David B. McKinley (R-WV) and Peter Welch (D-VT) with strong bipartisan support. The Energy Efficiency Improvement Act encompasses proposals to reduce energy consumption in commercial buildings.

Reps. McKinley and Welch worked together on the legislation, which encourages commercial building owners and tenants to coordinate to lower energy costs with a voluntary, market-driven approach to reduce energy use.

The bill also includes proposals regarding energy efficiency in federal data centers, federal building, and hot water heaters.

“With over 50 years in the construction industry, I understand what it takes to make our buildings more efficient,” said Rep. McKinley. “Improving energy efficiency is a common sense way to save energy, save money, and create jobs on which we can all agree.”

“Too often we focus on areas where we have differing views,” said McKinley. “But this is an area where Democrats and Republicans can work together. I urge the Senate and President Obama to take action on this common sense bipartisan issue.”