The U.S. House of Representatives yesterday passed the Home Star Energy Retrofit Act (H.R. 5019) by a vote of 246 to 161. The bipartisan legislation would establish a $6 billion program to create clean-energy jobs and provide on-the-spot rebates to about 3 million consumers who retrofit their homes to make them more energy efficient--efficiencies that will save homeowners $9.2 billion over the next decade.
President Barack Obama previewed the Home Star program during his first State of the Union address in January, and outlined the details in a speech at a Georgia technical college in early March. On both occasions, Obama championed the bill and urged Congress to adopt the program, saying it would help small businesses, support U.S. manufacturing, reduce energy consumption, lessen our dependence on fossil fuels, reduce greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global warming, and lower utility bills for many Americans.
"As America reels from the BP oil disaster, we applaud the passage of the Home Star Energy Efficiency Retrofit Program," said Kate Johnson, National Clean Energy Representative for the Sierra Club. "Reducing energy use in our homes is an important way to reduce our dependence on oil, coal and other dirty fuels. This critical bipartisan legislation will create clean energy jobs and save consumers money."
Home Star, nicknamed "Cash for Caulkers" because of its economic incentives for homeowners to make their homes more energy efficient, is also expected to revitalize the U.S. construction industry by creating up to 168,000 new construction jobs over the next two years.
The bill now moves to the U.S. Senate, where it is expected to attract the same kind of strong bipartisan support it received in the House. The Home Star program also has broad support from both environmental and business groups, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the National Association of Manufacturers--two conservative business organizations that strongly oppose climate legislation.
Some House Republicans objected to the cost of the program, but Democrats promised the program would be deficit-neutral.
"While the average U.S. household could save up to 20 percent on its home energy bills with energy efficiency upgrades, in today's economy many have not had the financial wherewithal to do so," said Kateri Callahan, President of Alliance to Save Energy. "By helping to 'buy down' the cost of energy efficiency home improvements, Congress can create a ripple effect that will be felt across our entire economy.
"Home Star is a common sense approach to address our country's overall energy usage, create American jobs and create a healthier environment for our families," Callahan said. "We hope the Senate will promptly send this legislation to the president for his signature."
Also Read:
- "Cash for Caulkers" HOMESTAR Program to Help U.S. Businesses and Homeowners
- Home Star Legislative Summary -- Alliance to Save Energy
Comments
cherinlish, That’s only if you can afford $10,000 in improvements.
I’d like to know if condo associations are eligible to participate in this program if they elect to insulate the attics of all co-owners.