Rep. Peter Welch, D-Vt was optimistic about Congress including energy and efficiency policies in the infrastructure and budget reconciliation measures – specifically the HOPE for HOMES Act of 2021 (rebates for efficiency improvements) and the Federal Building Clean Jobs Act (upgrades to govt facilities). There will be cuts though, which is unsurprising. Welch said this at a presentation of a new efficiency employment report. The report found that the efficiency market provides more employment (2.1 million jobs) than any other in the US energy industry, though it was bigger pre-pandemic.