Home Star Bill Introduced in the House

After weeks of hearings and debate, the bipartisan HOME STAR legislation was introduced today in the House of Representatives by Alliance Honorary Vice-Chair Rep. Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Rep. Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Rep. Vern Ehlers (R-Mich.) and Rep. Dennis Cardoza (D-Calif.).

With the construction industry stuck at 25 percent unemployment and many Americans struggling to make ends meet, HOME STAR would empower cash-strapped Americans to make their homes more energy-efficient.

Specifically, HOME STAR would provide rebates to homeowners who retrofit their homes with energy-efficient equipment and materials, such as insulation, efficient windows, etc. It would create two rebate programs, one for specific improvements, and one for whole-home energy use reductions, with rebates of up to $8,000 per home.

HOME STAR Coalition

For the past few months, the Alliance has worked with the HOME STAR Coalition to help the bill progress to the next legislative stage, where it could be introduced on a bipartisan level. The HOME STAR Coalition is made up of over 1,000 construction contractors, building products and mechanical manufacturers, retail sales businesses, environmental and energy efficiency groups and labor advocates from all 50 states.

Mark-up for this bill is scheduled for tomorrow at 10 a.m. in the full House Energy and Commerce Committee. Companion legislation has been introduced in the Senate by Alliance Honorary Vice-Chair Sen. Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.), with Senator's Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Mark Warner (D-Va.) as cosponsors.

Learn More, Take Action

The Alliance will continue to work to see this legislation to the finish line – and we hope you will take action as well. In the meantime, please view our Home Star Fact Sheet, along with a recent article regarding the program.