WASHINGTON, DC – May 7, 2010 – (RealEstateRama) — The U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation Thursday that will provide rebates to homeowners who install energy-saving products and reduce energy costs in their homes, while also creating an estimated 168,000 construction, manufacturing and retail jobs in the United States. U.S. Congressman Bart Stupak (D-Menominee) voted in favor of H.R. 5019, the Home Star Energy Retrofit Act, which had bipartisan support in the House.
“Homeowners who choose to take advantage of this program will turn to local businesses, such as local contractors and retailers, to purchase and install these energy-saving technologies,” Stupak said. “This will help create and retain jobs in the community while also saving families money on energy costs. Creating jobs and saving money benefits all families across northern Michigan.”
H.R. 5019 establishes two types of consumer incentives. The Silver Star program would provide up-front rebates of up to $3,000 for specific energy-saving investments, including insulation, duct sealing, windows and doors, air sealing and water heaters. The Gold Star program provides homeowners with up to $8,000 for conducting a comprehensive energy audit and substantially reducing their energy use at home.
Congressman Stupak worked to ensure that Home Star rebates were delivered promptly and were not delayed as a result of National Historic Preservation Act requirements.
“Federal weatherization funding has been delayed due to reviews by State Historical Preservation Offices. Congress does not want the Home Star program to trigger similar reviews that would delay energy efficiency improvements that benefit consumers, manufacturers and contractors,” Stupak said.
Stupak also included a provision that would make energy-efficient wood products eligible for the Home Star program. The provision will ensure that wood products that deliver energy savings are eligible purchases, helping the timber and wood products industry in northern Michigan and across the country.
Job creation is a critical goal of the Home Star program, as construction jobs cannot be outsourced and 90 percent of the energy saving products in the program, including windows, doors and insulation, are manufactured in the United States.
The Home Star program has been endorsed by business, labor, environmental and consumer groups including the National Association of Manufacturers, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the National Association of Home Builders, Owens Corning, Home Depot, Laborers’ International Union of North America, the Natural Resources Defense Council and the Home Star Coalition with more than 1,000 businesses and organizations nationwide.
The legislation now awaits action in the U.S. Senate.
Contact:
Michelle Begnoche
(202) 225-4735
