Amendment will improve accountability of Energy Department program

April 16, 2010

Washington, D.C. – Utilizing his expertise in clean energy technology, Congressman Jerry McNerney yesterday introduced an amendment to H.R. 5019, the Home Star Energy Retrofit Act of 2010, to improve the accountability of the Department of Energy (DOE).  Congressman McNerney’s amendment helps guarantee that DOE will act efficiently and transparently to meet its obligations under the Home Star program created by the bill.  The amendment passed the Committee on Energy and Commerce yesterday with bipartisan support.

The Home Star Energy Retrofit Act makes available rebates to homeowners for investments in energy efficient products and retrofits.  Under the Home Star program, vendors and contractors provide an instant rebate to homeowners for eligible efficiency upgrades, which will help save families on their utility bills.  The vendors and contractors are in turn reimbursed by funds available through DOE. 

Congressman McNerney’s amendment requires DOE to process rebate applications within 10 days.  This important amendment provides certainty to the private sector and helps ensure that DOE will meet its obligations to the business community in a timely and efficient manner.

“From my personal experience as a business owner and renewable energy engineer, I know how important it is that federal agencies administering rebate programs act in a transparent and timely fashion,” Rep. McNerney said.  “My amendment will help local businesses cut through red tape at the Department of Energy and will benefit local families.”

The Home Star Energy Retrofit Act of 2010, as amended by Congressman McNerney, passed the Committee on Energy and Commerce on a bipartisan basis.  The legislation is estimated to create well over 100,000 high quality American jobs and is supported by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the National Association of Home Builders, and the U.S. Green Building Council, among other groups.  Similar legislation has also been introduced in the Senate.