Background On The U.S. House ENERGY EFFICIENCY & Renewable Energy Caucus

The House RENEWABLE ENERGY Caucus was launched in February 1996 by Congressman Dan Schaefer (R-CO) and six other Members of Congress; Representatives Vern Ehlers (R-MI), Scott Klug (R-WI), David Minge (D-MN), Bill Richardson (D-NM), Matt Salmon (R-AZ), and Karen Thurman (D-FL). These Representatives formed the caucus because of their strong support for clean, renewable and efficient sources of energy as part of our nation’s energy portfolio. For example, Klug, who has since retired from Congress, was known as a leader against wasteful government spending, yet was a strong and effective advocate for renewable energy funding increases. He won a floor amendment in 1995 to increase federal renewable energy spending that had been virtually decimated by a new Congress.

Caucus Chairman Schaefer, who retired in 1999, had the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) —the world’s premier laboratory in the research and development of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies— in his district. Schaefer also led successful amendments to protect funding for these programs. In addition, Schaefer worked tirelessly to promote a renewables portfolio standard in electric UTILITY restructuring legislation during his tenure as chairman of the House Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Energy & Power. Schaefer sent out frequent “Dear Colleague” letters alerting Members to new technology developments and to promote his legislative initiatives on clean-energy technologies.

The next Caucus Chairman, Rep. Matt Salmon (R-AZ) retired from Congress in 2001. Salmon was a dynamic, committed leader for clean energy. He included energy efficiency formally in group’s name by renaming it the House Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Caucus and worked tirelessly to bring the caucus membership to a record 160 members. He worked to educate Members on the benefits of clean energy through a series of regional-based briefings and continued to send Dear Colleague letters to alert members of the Caucus about technology innovations as well as key legislative initiatives for clean energy. Salmon, who believed strongly in the importance of renewables and energy efficiency to the country’s energy infrastructure, led several successful House amendments to increase funding for these programs. He introduced a bill to establish residential SOLAR TAX CREDITS whose provisions were adopted in proposals by the Clinton Administration, as well as by the campaign energy platforms of both Governor Bush and Vice President Gore.

In the 107th Congress, Representatives Zach Wamp (R-TN) and Mark Udall (D-CO) share the co-chair duties of the House Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Caucus. Wamp, whose father was a builder, has a lifelong knowledge of energy efficiency. Among his constituents are Oak Ridge National Laboratory and Tennessee Valley Authority, both of which do renewable energy research and development. Wamp has a great interest in renewable energy technologies as well and he brings many important leadership qualities with him to the Caucus leadership.

Udall has been an outspoken supporter of clean-energy technologies since his days in the Colorado State Legislature. In 1999-2000, during his first term in office, he was a member of the House Science Committee and co-chair of the House Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Caucus. In this CAPACITY, he consistently led battles to increase both authorization and appropriation levels for energy efficiency and renewable energy R&D budgets. Udall has demonstrated his ability to lead and work cooperatively across party lines to forward research, development, and deployment of sustainable energy technologies.