The legislation, which many are calling symbolic, represents a victory and a large step in the right direction for both Congress and energy-efficiency advocates across the nation.

The U.S. House of Representatives has passed S. 535, the Energy Efficiency Improvement Act of 2015, sponsored by Sens. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, and Jeanne Shaheen, D-New Hampshire. The two senators have been attempting to get an energy efficiency bill passed since 2011. This is a no-cost, no-mandate bill, previously passed by the Senate on March 27, 2015.

Energy efficiency and renewable energy are key components of the EPA's Clean Power Plan, which aims to cut carbon pollution from power plants.

Forward momentum on the Shaheen-Portman energy efficiency bill ground to a halt Monday after Senate Democrats and Republicans failed to reach an agreement on the bill’s amendments.

The Alliance to Save Energy and a wide-ranging coalition of over 80 companies, organizations, and trade associations sent a letter to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) today, calling for them to bring the Shaheen-Portman energy efficiency bill to the floor for a vote. 

The bill faces an uphill battle as the tumultuous political climate of an election year threatens to stall the bill yet again.

The Shaheen-Portman energy-efficiency bill has bipartisan support in Congress but is still being delayed. Do you think it has a chance of passing?