As we await the status of the proposed “cap and trade” legislation it is vital that we peel the onion to see what is buried in HR 2454 that, if approved as proposed, will be another blow to our property rights freedom of choice. “Look for the union label” was a popular song promoting “made in America” by one of our garment making unions. HR 2454 contains another form of label that has not been discussed in any detail.
To practice KISS, keep it simple stupid, let me cut to the chase.
If you wish to sell your home it will need to have a “label” acknowledging that it now meets the new national energy efficiency building code standards. What a great way to create jobs in America.
H.R. 2454: American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009
Title II – Energy Efficiency
Subtitle A – Building Energy Efficiency Programs
Section 201 –
” Amends the EPCA to establish national building code energy efficiency targets to achieve: (1) a 30% reduction in energy use relative to a comparable building constructed in compliance with the baseline code, effective upon enactment of this Act; (2) a 50% reduction in energy use relative to a comparable building constructed in compliance with the baseline code by January 1, 2014, for residential buildings and by January 1, 2015, for commercial buildings; (3) a 5% additional reduction in energy use relative to the baseline code for residential buildings by January 1, 2017, and by every three years thereafter through January 1, 2029; and (4) a 5% additional reduction in energy use relative to the baseline code for commercial buildings by January 1, 2018, and by every three years thereafter through January 1, 2030. Defines “baseline code” to mean the 2006 International Energy Conservation Code for residential buildings and the ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2004 for commercial buildings. Requires national energy efficiency building codes to be established for residential and commercial buildings so that such targets are met. Requires each national building code established to be set at the maximum level that the Secretary determines is life cycle cost-justified and technically feasible and is in accordance with specified calculations. Requires the Secretary to provide assistance to recognized developers of national energy codes and standards to develop and disseminate consensus based energy efficiency building codes. Sets forth provisions concerning training state, tribal, and local code officials and building inspectors in the implementation and enforcement of such code. Requires states, within a year after a national energy efficiency building code is established, to: (1) review and update their building codes regarding energy efficiency to meet the national target; and (2) certify that their energy efficiency building code provisions meet or exceed the national target. Makes the national code the applicable energy efficiency building code in states that do not have a certified code within a specified time. Provides for the enforcement of such codes. Requires the EPA Administrator, for each vintage year from 2012-2050, to distribute allowances allocated to the SEED account for costs associated with energy efficiency building codes. Authorizes sums as may be necessary to provide enforcement of a national energy efficiency building code for FY2010-FY 2020. Requires the Secretary to report to Congress on the status, adoption, implementation, and enforcement of building codes.
Section 202 –
Requires the EPA Administrator: (1) in consultation with the Secretary, to develop and implement standards for a national energy and environmental building retrofit policy for single-family and multi-family residences; and (2) in consultation with the Secretary and the Director of Commercial High-Performance Green Buildings, to develop and implement standards for a national energy and environmental building retrofit policy for nonresidential programs. Declares that: (1) programs to implement such standards shall together be known as the Retrofit for Energy and Environmental Performance (REEP) program; and (2) the purpose of REEP is to facilitate the retrofitting of existing buildings to achieve maximum cost-effective energy efficiency improvements and significant improvements in water use and other environmental attributes. Requires the EPA Administrator, in consultation with the Secretary, to establish goals, guidelines, practices, standards, and specified program elements for accomplishing such purpose. Requires the EPA Administrator to: (1) consult with and coordinate with the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in implementing the REEP program with regard to retrofitting of public housing and assisted housing; and (2) establish standards to ensure that retrofits of public housing and assisted housing funded are cost-effective. Requires the EPA Administrator and the Secretary to provide assistance to state and local agencies for the establishment of revolving loan funds, loan guarantees, or other forms of financial assistance for REEP. Provides for the administration of REEP by state and local governments. Requires emission allowances to the states’ SEED accounts to support the implementation through state REEP programs of alternative means of creating incentives for, or reducing financial barriers to, improved energy and environmental performance in buildings. Establishes eligible uses of such support. Requires nonresidential buildings receiving support to satisfy minimum indoor air quality standards. Requires the EPA Administrator to report annually on REEP’s achievements in each state and on recommendations for program modifications. Authorizes appropriations for FY2010-FY2013 to the EPA Administrator and to the Secretary for REEP program costs.
Section 203 –
Authorizes states to provide to the owner of a manufactured home constructed prior to 1976 a rebate to use toward the purchase of a new Energy Star qualified manufactured home that is used on a year-round basis as a primary residence. Requires the rebate to be given only if the manufactured home constructed prior to 1976 will be rendered unusable for human habitation and will be replaced, in the same general location, with an Energy Star qualified manufactured home. Directs federal support for the program to be provided through the emission allowances allocated to the states’ SEED accounts. Caps rebates at $7,500 per manufactured home.
Section 204 –
Requires the EPA Administrator to: (1) establish a building energy performance labeling program with broad applicability to the residential and commercial markets to enable and encourage knowledge about building energy performance by owners and occupants and to inform efforts to reduce energy consumption nationwide; (2) develop model building energy labels for new residential and commercial buildings; and (3) conduct building energy performance labeling demonstration projects for different building types. Directs federal support for the program to be provided through the emission allowances allocated to the states’ SEED accounts. Establishes requirements for states to follow in order to become eligible to utilize allowances to implement this program. Authorizes the EPA Administrator to create or identify model programs and resources to provide guidance to offer to states and localities for creating labeling programs consistent with the model program. Requires the EPA Administrator to report to Congress on the model labeling program. Requires the Secretary and the EPA Administrator to: (1) use the labeling program to evaluate energy performance in DOE and EPA facilities and to encourage and support implementation efforts in other federal agencies; and (2) establish a business and consumer education program to increase awareness about the importance of building energy efficiency and to facilitate widespread use of the labeling program. Authorizes appropriations to the EPA Administrator and the Secretary for FY2010-FY2020 for such labeling program.”
Gilbert comment. I guess we can all line up at Fannie and Freddie to get our low cost loans to upgrade our homes and businesses.
http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h111-2454&tab=summary
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