Jeff Bingaman: “I rise to introduce the Home Star Energy Retrofit Act of 2010 and to recognize the original cosponsors of the bill…”

“I rise to introduce the Home Star Energy Retrofit Act of 2010 and to recognize the original cosponsors of the bill: Senator Warner, Senator Graham, Senator Snowe, Senator Sanders, Senator Brown of Massachusetts, Senator Merkley, Senator Stabenow, Senator Dodd, Senator Gillibrand, Senator Carper, Senator Pryor and Senator Harkin. This innovative legislation will save consumers money, create American skilled labor jobs, and reduce home energy consumption. If enacted, HOME STAR will build on existing policies and initiatives that have already proved effective. The program is supported by a broad coalition of over 600 groups including construction contractors, building products and mechanical manufacturers, retail sales businesses, environmental groups and labor advocates. HOME STAR will provide point-of-sale instant savings to encourage homeowners to install residential energy upgrades such as air sealing, insulation, and high efficiency furnaces and water heaters. HOME STAR incorporates a two-tiered approach that will offer flexibility to homeowners when choosing efficiency improvements to install.”