Obama Speech on New Homeowner Incentives at Alliance Associate Home Depot

Washington, D.C., December 15, 2009 – “If it takes President Obama saying insulation is ‘sexy’ to sell the American people on increasing their homes’ energy efficiency, we’re all for it!” said Alliance to Save Energy Executive Vice President Brian Castelli, referring to the president’s plan, announced today at an area Home Depot store, to provide incentives for U.S. homeowners who make energy- and money-saving retrofits to their residences.

Castelli added, “We also take pride in the fact that Home Depot is a long-time Alliance Associate and that several members of our staff were among the small group of invitees to the speech.

“But,” he continued, “let’s not forget that the multiple benefits of energy efficiency go far beyond being the latest ‘in thing.’ Energy efficiency is also a lifetime thing!

“With unemployment stuck at 10 percent, it’s very significant that an initiative to help homeowners defray the cost of installing energy-efficient products and systems would not only create home-grown jobs for the products’ manufacturers, retailers and installers, it also would lower the homeowners’ energy bills, enhance our national security and help confront global climate change,” Castelli said.

President Obama’s speech did not include details on the new incentives. However, the Alliance noted that they are certain to complement the current set of federal energy efficiency income tax credits, available through 2010, that help homeowners defray the cost of specific energy efficiency home improvements – including insulation that meets the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code.

The Alliance also urged the president and Congress to look beyond the “home front” in its thinking about unleashing the power of energy efficiency by also putting in place programs to lower energy use and costs in government and commercial buildings.