The Senate Energy and Water Development Subcommittee has released its draft bill for fiscal year 2015. In the report accompanying the bill, the Subcommittee directs the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to lead a study on government-wide energy efficiency programs that exist at DOE, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and other agencies and offices. This study will include recommendations to eliminate or consolidate energy efficiency programs. This language does not appear to be directed at any one program or agency, and is more likely representative of broader themes of consolidation that transcend issue areas and party lines.

Acknowledging the need for greater coordination between the public and private sectors, the Senate Subcommittee report also directs existing government coordinating bodies for energy efficiency programs to begin including programs for non-federal buildings (non-federal buildings are currently not addressed by these bodies).

While the Senate bill and report provide interesting insights into the priorities of Senate Appropriators, it is unlikely to have an immediate impact, as Congress is expected to pass a short-term continuing resolution (CR) when they return in September to avoid a partial government shutdown (the 2015 federal fiscal year begins October 1). A CR will fund government programs at the 2014 fiscal year levels. However, it is possible that Congress will enact individual spending bills, such as the Energy and Water Development Bill, during the lame duck session after the November elections. If the political winds shift, this becomes increasingly likely, given that the House passed their version of the Energy and Water Development Act (H.R.4923), and the release of the Senate bill provides grounds for bicameral negotiations to begin occurring.