McKinley/Welch Unveil Bipartisan Bill to Create Jobs Through National Energy Efficiency Program

Press Release

With Congress struggling to find consensus on most issues, Reps. David McKinley (R-W.V.) and Peter Welch (D-Vt.) today found common ground by introducing bipartisan energy efficiency legislation that will create jobs, save homeowners money and benefit the environment.

The Home Owner Managing Energy Savings (HOMES) Act will provide rebates to homeowners who invest in energy efficiency improvements. Homeowners who demonstrate a 20 percent energy savings will receive a $2,000 rebate. For every 5 percent in additional energy savings, they can receive another $1,000 -- up to a total of $8,000 or 50 percent of the project's cost. The legislation is modeled after the Welch-authored Home Star Energy Retrofit Act (H.R. 5019), which passed the House with bipartisan support in the 111th Congress.

"Energy efficiency is not a partisan issue," Welch said. "Investments in efficiency create a win-win-win: They create jobs, save people money and reduce carbon emissions. This is a practical idea pioneered in Vermont. This legislation will take the Vermont experience to the rest of the country."

The HOMES Act has received the backing of over 40 key business, environmental, labor and nonprofit groups, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Natural Resources Defense Council, Efficiency First, Alliance to Save Energy, Council of the North American Insulation Manufacturers Association and Residential Energy Services Network. The full list of supporters and a letter of support is copied below.

Additionally, President Obama's proposed budget for fiscal year 2013 urges passage of energy efficiency legislation, saying "The Administration continues to call on the Congress to pass the Home Star bill, or other mandatory funding legislation aimed at creating jobs by encouraging Americans to invest in energy saving home improvements."

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