Alliance to Save Energy Applauds House Introduction of Home Star Energy Retrofits Bill
The Alliance to Save Energy News
Alliance to Save Energy Applauds House Introduction of Home Star Energy Retrofits Bill
Washington, D.C., April 14, 2010 – American homeowners, American workers, and the depressed construction industry received welcome news today with the introduction of a House bill that would provide on-the-spot rebates for consumers who make energy efficiency retrofits to their homes, the Alliance to Save Energy said today.
The bipartisan Home Star Energy Retrofits Act was introduced today by Rep. Ed Markey (D-Mass.), an honorary vice-chair of the Alliance, along with Reps. Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Vern Ehlers (R-Mich.) and Dennis Cardoza (D-Calif.).
Their bill would establish a two-tied, $6 billion rebate program to encourage immediate energy efficiency improvements such as building "envelope" efficiency upgrades (e.g., insulation) and efficient equipment installation as well as whole-home energy efficiency retrofits. The first category of rebates would be for up to $3,000 per home, the second for up to $8,000.
"Home Star will empower cash-strapped Americans to cut their monthly home energy bills while creating home-grown jobs for American workers," said Alliance President Kateri Callahan.
Callahan continued: "The Alliance has worked for more than 30 years to help Americans reduce their home energy costs, and with 25 percent unemployment in the construction industry and so many people unable to pay their energy bills, now is the time for Congress to deliver the benefits of Home Star to the American people. This program will cut homeowners' energy bills while helping to restart a fragile construction industry."
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