Peter Welch has been a champion for working Vermonters throughout his career. Since his election to Congress in 2006, he has been widely recognized as a thoughtful and effective legislator who chooses governing over gridlock.
Peter’s record reflects his strong commitment to bringing people together to find common sense solutions to the difficult challenges facing our state and nation. In an era of partisanship, he has worked across the aisle to create jobs, increase access to affordable education and health care, invest in energy efficiency, protect our environment, and care for our veterans.
"America simply cannot afford an energy policy that leaves us dependent upon fossil fuels, beholden to hostile foreign governments, and responsible for degrading our environment. We must embrace a new energy future that invests in energy efficiency, promotes renewable energy and reduces carbon pollution."
Spotlight on Energy
Energy efficiency creates good manufacturing and installation jobs, cuts energy bills, and improves the environment. Rep. Welch is the leading proponent of energy efficiency in the House of Representatives. Building on Vermont’s national leadership in the field of energy efficiency, he has advanced legislation to cut energy bills for homeowners, farmers, businesses, schools, apartment buildings and government buildings. In 2015, President Obama signed into law bipartisan legislation authored by Rep. Welch to improve the efficiency of commercial buildings, water heaters, and federal buildings.
Rep. Welch has also been a forceful advocate for renewable energy resources. He is fighting for national standards for renewable energy and strongly supports incentives to develop clean energy resources and the good jobs that go with them.