Improving the energy efficiency of our homes, buildings, and other infrastructure is a low-cost way to reduce pollution, create jobs, and save consumers money on their energy bills.

Energy Efficient Data Centers

Today, the world generates more data in two days than was generated in all of human history prior to 2003. This data must be stored and processed at massive data centers which are often highly energy inefficient. The New York Times reported in September, 2012 that “data centers can waste 90 percent or more of the electricity they pull off the grid,” running their facilities at maximum capacity around the clock out of fear of a surge in demand that could crash the system. Over the last decade, data center energy use has quadrupled and will continue to grow as our lives become increasingly tied to the digital world. As an operator of thousands of data centers across the country, Rep. Eshoo believes the federal government should lead by example in improving the energy efficiency of its data centers.

On February 6, 2013, Rep. Eshoo introduced H.R. 540, the Energy Efficient Government Technology Act, which would require the federal government to improve the energy efficiency of its information and communications technology, with an emphasis on data centers. It is estimated that the bill could save taxpayers $300 million annually, and would set an example for the private sector to reduce energy usage at data centers.

H.R. 540 is supported by a broad range of public interest and industry organizations, including the Information Technology Industry Council, the Alliance to Save Energy, the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy, the Business Council for Sustainable Energy, and Telecommunications Industry Association.

The Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act

In the 113th Congress, Rep. Eshoo is a cosponsor of H.R. 1616, the Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act. This bipartisan bill would take a number of steps to encourage energy efficiency improvements throughout our economy, including:

• Strengthening national model building codes for homes and commercial buildings to make them more energy efficient;
• Providing new financing tools for investment in efficiency upgrades to kick-start private sector investment in building efficiency upgrades and renovations; and
• Directing the Department of Energy to work with the industrial sector on improving efficiency in manufacturing.