Rep. Payne, Jr. Promotes Energy-Efficient Housing in Newark with Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm

Washington, D.C. — Rep. Donald M. Payne, Jr. met with U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm in Newark today to discuss how Congress can help the department provide more energy-efficient homes in New Jersey and nationwide.  Secretary Granholm was in Newark to promote President Biden’s Build Back Better agenda and the need for America to invest in a clean energy economy to create millions of good-paying jobs and bring environmental justice to disadvantaged communities.

“We need to invest in more energy-efficient housing in New Jersey and nationwide to save Americans money on energy bills and protect the environment,” said Rep. Payne, Jr.  “Unfortunately, urban and minority communities suffer the most from environmental pollution, such as contaminated air and water.  Investments in modern technology and renewable energy will help all Americans have cleaner air and drinking water.  I was proud to show Secretary Granholm that Newark is a community that is using modern technology to save taxpayers money and protect the environment.”

Rep. Payne, Jr. joined Secretary Granholm for a tour of Grace West Manor, an apartment complex in Newark, to see how new, energy-efficient technologies are being used in housing projects.  Then Rep. Payne, Jr. and the Secretary participated in a roundtable discussion about weatherization and other ways to save energy and decrease pollution in American housing.  The roundtable included officials with the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and Newark city management.

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