HOME STAR and Building STAR: Building Blocks of a National Retrofit Program
In his 2010 State of the Union address, President Obama called on Congress to “give rebates to Americans who make their homes more energy-efficient,” reaffirming his commitment to save energy and create jobs through a national retrofit program.
The Alliance strongly supports this initiative and over the past two months has worked with many stakeholders on this residential retrofits program, HOME STAR, and a complementary program for commercial buildings, Building STAR. Both proposals have broad support both on and off the Hill and are candidates for upcoming job creation legislation.
HOME STAR
The HOME STAR proposal, or ‘Cash for Caulkers,’ would provide rebates to homeowners for making their homes more energy-efficient. Under the program, homeowners would qualify for rebates either by installing specific energy-savings measures (SILVER STAR incentives) or by demonstrating whole-home energy use reductions (GOLD STAR incentives).
Modeled after a similar provision in the House-passed climate and energy bill, the two-pronged approach would meet complimentary goals of immediate job creation and long-term market transformation. The SILVER STAR pathway enables direct and rapid installation, while the higher-tiered GOLD STAR pathway encourages comprehensive energy analysis and savings, the foundation of the home performance industry.
The HOME STAR proposal was endorsed by the President’s Economic Recovery Advisory Board (PERAB) and is supported by construction contractors, manufacturers, retail sales businesses, environmental and energy efficiency groups and labor advocates. Advocates for the HOME STAR proposal, the HOME STAR coalition, are working to build support across the country for this measure.
Building STAR
As HOME STAR is to residential, Building STAR is to commercial. The Building STAR proposal would provide rebates and tax incentives for energy retrofits in commercial and multi-family residential buildings. Like the prescriptive pathway of the HOME STAR proposal, Building STAR would award rebates to building owners who implement specific energy savings measures, including energy servicing and operations training. The Building STAR proposal would also expand tax incentives for performance-based energy savings.
Building STAR has the support of a broad base of labor, energy efficiency, environmental and industry groups, including the Alliance.
