Portman’s timely energy bill

The Cincinnati Enquirer: In an era of partisan gridlock, Republican U.S. Sen. Rob Portman of Ohio deserves credit for bringing long-overdue, bipartisan energy legislation to the Senate floor.

The Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act (ESIC), co-sponsored by Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., would strengthen building codes, promote industrial efficiency and require energy strategies for federal agencies that would save energy and money.

It’s the first big piece of energy legislation to make it this far since 2007.

There is broad support for the bill, ranging from corporations to faith-based organizations to environmental groups. One opponent, the Heritage Foundation, argues that energy savings should be based on market forces, not legislation.

But the past has proven that sometimes the market needs a nudge. This bill could provide it.