Provision will improve accountability of Energy Department program

May 7, 2010

Washington, D.C. – A provision authored by Congressman McNerney to improve the accountability of the Department of Energy (DOE) passed the House yesterday as part of H.R. 5019, the Home Star Energy Retrofit Act of 2010.  Congressman McNerney’s provision helps guarantee that DOE will act efficiently and transparently to meet its obligations under the Home Star program created by the bill. 

The Home Star Energy Retrofit Act makes available rebates to homeowners for investments in energy efficient products and retrofits.  Homeowners receive rebates for efficiency upgrades through funds made available by DOE.  Congressman McNerney’s provision requires DOE to process rebate applications within 10 days. 

This important provision will benefit homeowners by helping to ensure that DOE acts efficiently and transparently.  Congressman McNerney added this provision to the bill as an amendment, which passed unanimously when the legislation was considered by the Committee on Energy and Commerce.

“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 provision will help make sure that families receive rebates quickly and don’t fall victim to an unwieldy government bureaucracy.”

The Home Star Energy Retrofit Act of 2010, including Congressman McNerney’s provision, passed the House yesterday, May 6, 2010.  The legislation is estimated to create over 160,000 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.