We need aggressive action from Congress to curb global warming emissions and build a clean energy future. The Save American Energy Act (H.R. 889), introduced by Representative Ed Markey (D-MA-7), will address our pressing economic, energy and environmental challenges by requiring that utilities gradually increase energy savings -- an average of one percent a year starting in 2012 through 2020. I urge you to cosponsor this bill.

By establishing an Energy Efficiency Resource Standard (EERS), the Save American Energy Act will reduce consumers' energy bills, create jobs, cut global warming pollution, and avoid the construction of over 300 expensive new power plants.

Potential for energy savings exists in every sector of our economy: in our homes, schools, commercial and industrial buildings, power lines and other delivery systems. An Energy Efficiency Resource Standard (EERS) will require utilities to capture those savings.

An EERS will stimulate the ailing building, construction and manufacturing industries as well as long-term technological innovation and put America to work capturing the country's most abundant energy source.

Increasing energy efficiency eliminates the need for hundreds of new power plants at a fraction of the cost of building them. According to the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE), efficiency targets for electric and natural gas should, by 2020, reduce carbon emissions by 260 million metric tons and save utility customers up to a net $144 billion by 2020, money that can be reinvested in the economy.

Increasing energy efficiency is the most cost-effective step we can take to address global warming and jump start emissions reductions in the near term and along with a Renewable Electricity Standard (RES) and an economy-wide cap on global warming emissions will reduce the threat of climate change.

Please co-sponsor the Save American Energy Act (HR 889).

Sincerely,