Home Star Passes House Committee
Great news! The Home Star Energy Retrofit Act of 2010 has just made it through the House Energy & Commerce Committee, and has taken one step closer to becoming law!
From the Home Star Program website: "HOME STAR is proposed new legislation to create jobs in existing industries by providing strong short-term incentives for energy efficiency improvements in residential buildings. The program will move quickly, with a minimum of red tape, and will act as a bridge to long-term market development of existing industries. This initiative establishes a $6 billion rebate program to encourage immediate investment in energy-efficient appliances, building mechanical systems and insulation, and whole-home energy efficiency retrofits. HOME STAR will rapidly create jobs in both construction and manufacturing, while saving families money on their energy bills."
"HOME STAR is the right plan at the right time," said Matt Golden, President and Co-founder of home performance company Recurve. "The construction industry is in a depression right now with a 25 percent unemployment rate. HOME STAR will put tens of thousands of American construction workers back to work making American homes more energy efficient."
We are so glad that this very important legislation is making headway. When passed, it will create approximately 168,000 new jobs in construction and related industries over the next two years (according to the Home Star Coalition).
MAGJC is proud to be one of over 1000 members from all 50 states who are part of the Home Star Coalition - including construction contractors, building products and mechanical manufacturers, retail sales businesses, environmental and energy efficiency groups and labor advocates - who want to see the job creation and energy savings benefits of the bipartisan HOME STAR legislation realized.
Please join us in supporting this very important legislation. You can learn more about the Home Star Program here and here.