On Feb. 27, U.S. Sens. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, and Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., introduced S 2074: Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act of 2014 — the latest iteration of the energy-efficiency bill that would, among other things, strengthen model building codes and promote energy efficiency in residential, federal, and industrial buildings. It is the fourth time the bill has been introduced since 2011, and, if enacted, would be the first energy-efficiency legislation in more than seven years.
Despite having widespread bipartisan support in both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, the bill faces an uphill battle as the tumultuous political climate of an election year threatens to stall the bill yet again.