WASHINGTON — At the 2013 Energy Efficiency Forum, a continuing topic addressed was energy legislation, specifically the Shaheen-Portman bill, S 761, the Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act of 2013. The senator and three congressmen who spoke at the forum all said there is broad bipartisan support in Congress for an energy bill, and Shaheen-Portman is one piece of legislation that actually could get passed.

Other speakers at the 24th annual forum, sponsored by the U.S. Energy Association and Johnson Controls, also expressed their support and urged Congress to act.

Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., who is chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, said there is a real opportunity, for the first time in years, to move forward on significant, bipartisan energy legislation. He stated, “We need to get Shaheen-Portman to the Senate floor,” adding he is very hopeful that the bill will get to the floor in July.