Political Quotes

“Mr. Chair, I rise in support of H.R. 4785, the Rural Energy Savings Program Act. I am a cosponsor of this bill, which has been modified to include provisions of H.R. 5019, the Home Star Energy Retrofit Act, of which I am also a cosponsor. The Rural Energy Savings Program Act creates two energy efficiency loan programs. The Home Star Energy Efficiency Loan Program, administered by the Energy Department, will provide interest-free loans to states or territories, which will then re-loan the money to consumers for energy efficiency home renovations. The Rural Star Energy Program, run by the Agriculture Department, will make loans to rural electric co-ops, enabling these organizations to provide loans to qualified consumers to make their homes and businesses become more energy efficient. Constituents in my district have some of the highest energy costs in the country, especially residents of Hawaii's rural communities. The Rural Star Energy Program would give Kauai Island Utility Cooperative, a rural electric co-op in my district, the opportunity to help families, farms, and businesses on Kauai save money on their energy bills while reducing energy waste and carbon pollution. In addition, the Home Star Energy Efficiency Loan Program and the Rural Star Energy Program will help create jobs by increasing demand for energy efficiency products (many of which are made in the United States) and energy equipment retrofits. I strongly support H.R.…”