DOE would fast track efficiency standards

[jpak]

http://www.upi.com/Energy/doe_would_fast_track_efficiency_standards/20070302-021043-8275r/

WASHINGTON, March 2 (UPI) -- The U.S. Department of Energy announced legislation sent to Congress requesting authorization to speed up the efficiency standards process.

Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman's recent request would help bring new, more energy efficient products to the market sooner.

"If enacted, this legislation would amount to real, more immediate energy savings for Americans," Bodman said. "We look forward to working with Congress and stakeholders to speed up the process to put into place mandatory standards that can really help raise the bar for efficiency standards."

Under the new legislations, the Energy Department would have the authority to make direct rulings when setting efficiency standards. It would be limited to instances when representatives of involved manufacturers, efficiency advocates and state officials have negotiated their own initiative and comments to the Energy Department. The Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable energy would be in charge of overseeing any comments or complaints arising from approved standards.

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