Slaughter Says Energy Efficiency Bill Will Be Good for the Western New York Economy

May 2010

Congresswoman Louise Slaughter (NY-28) enthusiastically supported passage of legislation that will create green jobs and make it more affordable to improve your home’s energy efficiency.

The Home Star program will provide up-front rebates of up to $3,000 for improvements such as insulation, duct sealing, windows and doors, air sealing and water heaters and incentives for complete home energy-saving renovations.

“So many of the jobs that we have lost are not coming back. We have to build a new economy,” said Slaughter. “One of the best opportunities we have to get our assembly lines moving again is to harness the power of clean technologies and energy efficiency.”

The Home Star Energy Retrofit Act, which passed the House authorizes the creation of a Home Star program that will increase home energy renovations by providing rebates to homeowners who install energy-saving products.

Over 90 percent of energy-saving products, including insulation, windows, doors and heating systems, are manufactured in the U.S. The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy estimates that the Home Star program will create approximately 168,000 new American jobs.

“These are jobs that are good for America and good for Western New York. These are the types of jobs that cannot be outsourced overseas,” said Slaughter.
Slaughter also noted the legislation’s impact on reduced energy bills through efficiency and weatherization incentives. The Center for American Progress estimates that more than 3 million families will participate, saving $9.2 billion on their energy bills over the next 10 years as a result of this bill.

“We not only spark the clean technology industry, we increase our energy security and independence and turn to a more sustainable energy future through these measures,” said Slaughter.

The Home Star Energy Retrofit Act is supported by a broad range of business, labor, environmental and consumer groups including the National Association of Manufacturers, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, National Association of Home Builders, Owens Corning, Home Depot, Laborers’ International Union of North America, Natural Resources Defense Council, Sierra Club, Environment America, Alliance to Save Energy, and U.S. Green Building Council along with the Home Star Coalition which has over 1000 business and organization members nationwide.