Perlmutter energy-efficiency bill tackles range of big issues

John Tomasic — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 21:21:27 +0000

U.S. Rep Ed Perlmutter, CO-7, introduced companion legislation Wednesday that seeks to encourage consumers to improve the energy-efficiency of their homes, including homes they’re looking to buy or build. The fairly basic-sounding bills — there are two of them– aim to boost the limping housing market, respond to rising energy prices and address climate change.

The bill would provide incentives to lenders to provide cheaper loans for energy-efficiency improving home projects of all sorts. It would establish new energy standards for government low-income housing. Perlmutter co-sponsored the bill with Sheldon Whitehouse, D-RI.

A Perlmutter press release quoted American Institute of Architects Vice President Christine McEntee:

By establishing new energy standards…, accelerating energy and location efficient mortgages, and requiring financial institutions to include the value of energy efficiency in home appraisals, passage of this legislation will be an important step for the country and another avenue to help reach the AIA’s goal of carbon neutral buildings by 2030.

Perlmutter also celebrated passage of the House Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations bill. The bill provides $119 million for a 200-bed VA Medical Center with a 30-bed Spinal Cord Injury Unit at the Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora.

Click here to view his floor speech in support of the bill.

The Colorado Independent » nschutz Medical Campus in Aurora

Perlmutter energy-efficiency bill tackles range of big issues

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