Rural Energy Savings Act ("Rural Star")

The Rural Energy Savings Act (H.R. 4785), or "Rural Star" will spur job creation in the new American clean energy industry and strengthen rural economies that have been hit hard by the Bush recession.  The act provides loans to American families and farmers to improve their energy efficiency and lower their utility bills, creating American manufacturing and installation jobs in the process.

The programs in this bill will offer homeowners loans of about $3,000 to $7,500 to eliminate the upfront cost of home energy upgrades, which customers will then repay over 10 years on their electric bill -- with their energy savings from the renovations covering most of the cost of the loan.  The Rural Star and Loan Star programs in this bill will boost demand for energy efficient products, materials, and construction and installation services that are made in America; over 90% of these products and materials —caulking, insulation, HVAC systems, hot water heaters, sealant, windows, doors other structural materials — are made in America.

Read more about how the Rural Energy Savings Act can help make your home more energy efficient at the same time as it creates clean energy jobs.