Home Star Energy Retrofit Act Of 2010

Floor Speech

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Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Chair, I come to the floor today in support of the legislation before us, and to talk about companion efforts that can and should be undertaken to create jobs and ensure that people around the country are better protected from natural disasters. I support providing incentives to homeowners to make their homes energy efficient. However, at the same time, I believe we must help Americans make their homes stronger and safer.

I have long been a proponent of disaster mitigation and resiliency measures, and in fact, have sponsored a number of pieces of legislation that would assist families in strengthening their homes. I have also drafted an amendment to the Home Star bill, which though I did not offer, I am hoping can be the basis for discussions with the House, Senate and Administration as this bill moves forward.

Americans across the country are at risk from natural disasters. Though we cannot easily mitigate the disasters themselves, we can mitigate and lessen their impact. Homes can be strengthened to protect from the devastating effects of hurricanes, earthquakes, flooding, and tornadoes. Strengthening roof attachments, creating water barriers and seals, constructing saferooms, elevating electrical systems, adding storm shutters and roof protection systems are examples of what can be done to save lives and property.

Disaster resiliency not only helps better protect our residents and their property, but it creates jobs and is cost effective. A disaster mitigation program in Florida has found that for every 50 to 75 homes made more resilient, 160 construction jobs are created. Imagine if we were strengthening hundreds of thousands of homes in harm's way. We would create tens of thousands of jobs.

We would also be making a smart investment ..... one that will have significant cost savings. For every $1 spent to strengthen homes and communities, $4 is saved in recovery and rebuilding costs. That is not an insignificant cost savings.

Disaster mitigation also decreases energy use and reduces greenhouse gas emissions. South Carolina's state mitigation program found that installing disaster resiliency measures decreased energy usage by almost 30 percent. And, though not immediate, there are significant energy savings from preventing the destruction, and subsequent rebuilding, of homes and other structures.

Pairing disaster mitigation and energy efficiency retrofits makes sense. Federal programs should be making sure that energy efficient upgrades can withstand known risks, including natural disasters. In coastal areas, that means making sure that windows and doors are wind resistant in addition to being energy efficient, and it means making sure that the roof can withstand wind so that the home, and the energy efficiency work, is not wiped away in the next storm. Strengthening and protecting homes and buildings at the same time as we are making the homes energy efficient will help to protect our federal investment.

Providing incentives for disaster resiliency and mitigation has the support of numerous organizations including environmental groups, taxpayer advocate organizations, and affordable housing advocates. I believe there is widespread support for strengthening homes and buildings in harm's way. I look forward to working with my colleagues either on including incentives in Home Star as it moves forward or as a companion piece of legislation.

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