With Congress struggling to find consensus on most issues, Reps. David McKinley (R-W.V.) and Peter Welch (D-Vt.) today found common ground by introducing bipartisan energy efficiency legislation that will create jobs, save homeowners money and benefit the environment.

The Home Owner Managing Energy Savings (HOMES) Act will provide rebates to homeowners who invest in energy efficiency improvements. Homeowners who demonstrate a 20 percent energy savings will receive a $2,000 rebate. For every 5 percent in additional energy savings, they can receive another $1,000 – up to a total of $8,000 or 50 percent of the project's cost. The legislation is modeled after the Welch-authored Home Star Energy Retrofit Act (H.R. 5019), which passed the House with bipartisan support in the 111th Congress.

"Energy efficiency is not a partisan issue," Welch said. "Investments in efficiency create a win-win-win: They create jobs, save people money and reduce carbon emissions. This is a practical idea pioneered in Vermont. This legislation will take the Vermont experience to the rest of the country."

The HOMES Act has received the backing of over 40 key business, environmental, labor and nonprofit groups, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Natural Resources Defense Council, Efficiency First, Alliance to Save Energy, Council of the North American Insulation Manufacturers Association and Residential Energy Services Network. The full list of supporters and a letter of support is copied below.

Additionally, President Obama's proposed budget for fiscal year 2013 urges passage of energy efficiency legislation, saying "The Administration continues to call on the Congress to pass the Home Star bill, or other mandatory funding legislation aimed at creating jobs by encouraging Americans to invest in energy saving home improvements."

March 21, 2012

Honorable David McKinley

Honorable Peter Welch

U.S. House of Representatives

Washington, DC 20515

Dear Congressmen McKinley and Welch,

We are writing to express our support for the Home Owner Managing Energy Savings Act of 2012, or HOMES Act.

As large and small businesses, efficiency and environmental advocates, and non-profit organizations we appreciate your bi-partisan effort to increase the efficiency of America's homes while homeowners save money, benefitting the environment, and putting contractors back to work.

The HOMES Act will provide a much-needed incentive to homeowners to make energy efficient improvements to their homes. These home owners will save money on their utility bills while living in more comfortable homes. The HOMES Act also offers long-term benefits vital to America's interests. It will create jobs, as demand for energy efficient technologies increases and construction workers are put back to work installing those new technologies.

Thank you for introducing the HOMES Act. We look forward to working with you.

Sincerely,

Alliance to Save Energy

American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy

ABM Industries

AHRI

BKi

Blow-in Blanket Contractors Association

CNAIMA

Conservation Services Group

Danfoss

Efficiency First

Environmental and Energy Study Institute

Energy Future Coalition

Environment America

EPS Industry Alliance

Fresh Energy

GreenHomes America

Icynene

Ingersoll Rand/Trane

Insulation Contractors Association of America

Interfaith Power & Light

JELD WEN, Inc

Johnson Controls Inc.

Knauf Insulation

LIUNA

Masco Corporation

National Association of State Energy Officials

Natural Resources Defense Council

NAESCO

Performance Systems Development

RESNET

Spray Polyurethane Foam Alliance

The Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors National Association

Sierra Club

Southern Alliance for Clean Energy

Spray Polyurethane Foam Alliance

Structural Insulated Panel Association

U.S. Chamber of Commerce

U.S. Green Building Council

United Technologies Corporation

Vinyl Siding Institute