CUELLAR VOTES FOR HOME RENOVATION REBATE PROGRAM, HELPS HOMEOWNERS
Written by Post Public Information Representative, May 8, 2010, 0 Comments
Courtesy Ashley Patterson,
Renovating Homes for Energy Efficiency Creates American Jobs and Supports Homeowners
Washington, DC – Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) on Thursday helped pass H.R. 5019 the Home Star Energy Retrofit Act of 2010, a bill to provide rebates to millions of homeowners who install energy-saving products in their homes. The bill features two rebate programs that could help an estimated 3 million American consumers. Similar rebate programs have proven successful, including the recent Texas Trade Up Appliance Rebate Program this April.
“This program would help Texans renovate their homes and lower monthly expenses for hard-working families,” said Congressman Cuellar. “Last month, the Texas Trade Up Appliance Rebate program had an unprecedented response with thousands of Texans taking advantage of rebates for energy-efficient home appliances. Texans use these rebates.”
Two rebate programs would help homeowners under the Home Star bill, including the Silver Star program to provide up-front rebates of up to $3,000 for the installation of proven energy-saving technologies, such as insulation, duct sealing, window and door improvements, air sealing, and advanced water heaters. The Gold Star program would reward homeowners with up to $8,000 for conducting a comprehensive energy audit to substantially reduce energy-use at home.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce endorsed the Home Star program, in addition to the National Association of Manufacturers, the National Association of Home Builders and the Home Star Coalition that includes over 1,000 businesses and organizations nationwide. Estimates show that this initiative could create 168,000 jobs in construction, manufacturing and retail as Americans retrofit their homes, helping some of the nation’s hardest hit industries get back on their feet.
“These programs have a proven track record of reenergizing consumers,” said Congressman Cuellar, a former small business owner and advocate for small businesses. “Last month, Texans reserved every single rebate in the state-run appliance rebate program. This is another opportunity to provide consumers with cost-saving incentives to make their homes more efficient.”
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 provided each state with funds to create similar energy-efficient rebate programs. Texas received over $24 million for its rebate program, of which all the rebates were immediately reserved last month.
In addition, the Recovery Act created the successful “Cash for Clunkers” program that provided rebates to assist thousands of Americans in purchasing more energy-efficient vehicles and extended to the nation’s homeowners an energy-saving tax credit worth up to $1,500 for making retrofits to reduce energy consumption in their homes. To learn more about this tax cut, please visit: http://www.energysavers.gov/
The Home Star bill now moves to the Senate for consideration and a late amendment to the bill affirmed that this program cannot contribute to the nation’s deficit and will not extend to individuals with incomes greater than $250,000.
To learn more about the Home Star Rebate Program legislation, please visit:
