WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Ingersoll-Rand plc (NYSE:IR), a world leader in creating and sustaining safe, comfortable and efficient environments, welcomed a bill introduced today by Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Senator Rob Portman (R-OH) aimed at enhancing the energy efficiency of commercial buildings, manufacturing facilities, utilities and residential homes across the United States.
The Energy Savings Act of 2011 seeks to encourage federal zero-interest loans for rural home energy efficiency improvements and competitive loans for commercial and industrial manufacturers to invest in advanced process equipment and clean distributed energy systems.
Ingersoll Rand believes these strategic investments could help manufacturers adopt advanced energy-efficient production technologies and processes to increase productivity, decrease fuel dependence, reduce energy usage and generate savings for consumers and businesses.
“We are encouraged by Senator Shaheen’s and Senator Portman’s commitment to accelerating investments in innovative products and services that can help businesses and homeowners enhance their energy efficiency,” said John W. Conover IV, chairman of Ingersoll Rand’s Sustainability Advisory Council and senior vice president. “This bipartisan bill acknowledges advanced energy-efficiency technologies that we have made our core focus. We look forward to working with Congress to optimize the benefits for businesses and consumers.”
Ingersoll Rand also applauds the focus on federal building retrofits as part of compliance with advanced building codes. Buildings can account for up to 40 percent of energy usage in the U.S., and addressing energy use in the built environment represents the largest opportunity to drive improvements in energy efficiency through the use of existing innovative efficiency technologies.
Furthermore, for the residential sector, the call for precedent-setting consensus standards for outdoor lighting, residential HVAC, residential appliances, and other products can help cut consumer home energy costs by more than $40 billion through 2030 at no cost to the Treasury.
About Ingersoll Rand
Ingersoll Rand (NYSE:IR) is a world leader in creating and sustaining safe, comfortable and efficient environments in commercial, residential and industrial markets. Our people and our family of brands - including Club Car®, Hussmann®, Ingersoll Rand®, Schlage®, Thermo King® and Trane® - work together to enhance the quality and comfort of air in homes and buildings, transport and protect food and perishables, secure homes and commercial properties, and increase industrial productivity and efficiency. Ingersoll Rand is a $14 billion global business committed to sustainable business practices within our company and for our customers. For more information, visit www.ingersollrand.com.