WASHINGTON, DC – The House of Representatives today continued its work to advance energy efficiency and an "all-of-the-above" energy strategy. The House approved a series of bills to increase energy and cost savings for federal agencies and schools and support the production and use of hydropower.

The House approved H.R. 4801, the Thermal Insulation Efficiency Improvement Act, by voice vote. Reps. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) and Jerry McNerney (D-CA) authored the bipartisan legislation to help identify opportunities for federal agencies to use energy and water more efficiently. The bill requires the Department of Energy to evaluate and report potential energy savings available to federal agencies through greater use of thermal insulation.

"I’m proud to see the House investing in research that could significantly save both financial and natural resources all across the country. With the federal government being the single largest consumer of energy in the U.S., doing our best to maximize the potential savings from improved insulation systems is a commonsense step I think everybody can agree on. I hope the Senate takes up this bill and moves quickly to begin this important analysis," said Kinzinger.

Click HERE to view Kinzinger’s remarks on the floor in support of H.R. 4801

A broad group of stakeholders lent their support to this commonsense bill, stating, "The increased use of thermal insulation in federal buildings would provide a simple and actionable strategy to reduce energy use and cut unnecessary costs, consequently, achieving tangible energy efficient results."

The House also approved H.R. 4092, the Streamlining Energy Efficiency for Schools Act, by voice vote. This legislation, authored by Rep. Matt Cartwright (D-PA), would help our nation’s schools reduce energy use and save money by establishing an online resource at DOE to serve as a one-stop-shop for information about available federal programs that can be used to increase energy efficiency.

Finally, the House approved H.R. 316, the Collinsville Hydroelectric Relicensing Bill, by a vote of 379 to 3. The legislation, authored by Rep. Elizabeth Esty (D-CT), provides the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission with limited authority to reinstate two terminated hydroelectric licenses and transfer them to a new owner, the Town of Canton, Connecticut. The House had previously approved the legislation, and today took action to approve Senate changes, sending the bill president’s desk.