By Sarah Tincher, May 1, 2015

President Barack Obama has signed bipartisan legislation to bolster energy efficiency measures in commercial buildings in homes.

The Energy Efficiency Improvement Act, signed April 30, aims to encourage energy efficiency efforts through several methods.

One component of the bill promotes energy efficiency for renters through a branch of the Energy Star program, called “Tenant Star.” The measure also modifies regulations on large electric water heaters and requires federal agencies to perform energy-use audits on commercial buildings they lease.

Energy efficiency measures have also repeatedly been proposed as a potential method for reducing emissions as a means of compliance with federal regulations, including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's proposed Clean Power Plan, which aims to cut carbon emissions from coal-fired power plants.

Rep. David McKinley, R-W.Va., also introduced the same bill in the U.S. House of Representatives April 15.

“We ought to be promoting building efficiency as a way to save energy, save money, and create jobs,” McKinley said in a statement. “Energy independence is a national security issue, and efficiency should be part of the solution.

“While many of our challenges are complicated and won't get solved overnight, energy efficiency is one area where we can find common ground,” McKinley added. “This is not a Democratic idea or a Republican idea - it's just common sense.”

Reps. McKinley and Peter Welch, D-Vt., have also introduced H.R. 2073, the Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act, which aims to modernize the nation's building codes, help improve energy-use for businesses and provide training for careers in efficient construction.

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