Washington, DC - Congressman John D. Dingell (D-MI15) made the following comments during the “Energy Efficiency in the Home” discussion at the Ypsilanti Senior/Community Center.  Congressman Dingell joined with the Ypsilanti Clean Energy Coalition (YCEC) to speak on pending legislation concerning energy efficiency issues.  He joined with Deb Heed of the YCEC to share simple strategies to reduce energy consumption, recent job creation efforts and work to help families save money on energy costs. 

“109,000 jobs have been created or saved in Michigan by the stimulus.  I know this may not go over so well in some places, but I am proud of my vote for the stimulus package.  It has put people to work doing important things like fixing our roads, teaching our kids and yes, making our homes and city facilities more energy efficient.

“Between 2001 and 2009, Michigan lost nearly 43 percent of its construction jobs.  The bottom line is simple, we need jobs and we need them desperately. 

“That’s why I support the HomeStar Energy Retrofit Act, legislation that has the potential to put 168,000 workers back on the job.  Not only will this help individual workers, but also small business, which has been a particularly hard hit segment of our economy. 

“According the HomeStar Coalition, the energy efficiency gains have the potential to equal the removal of 615,000 cars from the road.  This is particularly important with the announcement that the Senate has put broader climate change legislation on hold.

“Finally, this program will be of great benefit to homeowners.  This could save families as much as $9.4 billion in energy costs over ten years.  In addition, it makes homes more valuable.  In these economic times, these savings and increased home values cannot be underestimated.

“Senate leadership has put HomeStar in the draft energy legislation they are putting together.  It is my sincere hope they keep this important legislation in the bill.  It would do a great service to have this legislation signed into law before the end of the year.”

More on the HomeStar Energy Retrofit Act, passed by the House on May 9. 2010:

It will create jobs
Experts project the HomeStar Energy Retrofit Act will create 168,000 new jobs across America.  The bill creates construction jobs that cannot be outsourced.  And the materials those workers will use – 90% of the products needed for HomeStar energy retrofitting – are made here in the United States. 

It will help homeowners save money
The $3,000 in rebates available because of this bill will help families for everything from insulation, duct sealing, windows and doors, air sealing, to more efficient water heaters.  Such improvements can produce savings of $200 to $500 on energy bills each year.

Homes will become more energy efficient