Energy-efficiency advocates examine, react to stimulus bill

Leading energy-efficiency advocates have generally hailed the billions of dollars in renewable-energy initiatives in the $800-billion-plus American Recovery and Reinvestment Bill of 2009 that was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives last week and is being debated in the Senate this week. A tour of the Web revealed these takes on and suggestions for further changes to the stimulus bill:

Alliance to Save Energy: This organization lauded the stimulus plan's goal of weatherizing two million homes over the next two years, doubling the country's renewable-energy resource base, and creating nearly 500,000 new green-collar jobs.

American Institute of Architects: Calling the stimulus bill an "important start," the AIA praised an amendment to the House bill that added funding for mass transit. However, "it will take $2.2 trillion to fix our crumbling infrastructure," said Paul Mendelsohn, the AIA's vice president of government and community relations, in a statement, "and we will continue to call on members of both parties to ensure that we do not miss this window of opportunity to invest significantly and wisely in green buildings, a stronger and safer infrastructure, and a 21st-century transportation system."

Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers: This nonprofit trade group applauded the stimulus plan's grant of $300 million to consumers who replace appliances with Energy Star-qualified models.

Fix Housing First Coalition: This group of home builders, suppliers, and real-estate agents said stabilizing the housing market is the key to the recovery. It has published an analysis showing how a $10,000 to $22,000 tax credit and a time-restricted mortgage-rate write-down to 2.99 percent for all home buyers could lead to economic recovery within four years.

Natural Resources Defense Council: The NRDC strongly supported the stimulus package. David Goldstein, Ph.D., the organization's energy-program codirector, argued that high energy prices as well as the mortgage meltdown caused the current recession. He also detailed how energy-efficiency initiatives can speed the recovery. In "What's So Green About the Stimulus?" the NRDC's Erin Allweiss, press secretary for legislative affairs, urged further increases in funding for rail-transport systems and energy-efficiency and weatherization programs.

U.S. Green Building Council: This nonprofit group of corporations, builders, universities, government agencies praised the stimulus plan and called for further funding of green jobs and green affordable housing.—Gian Trotta

Essential Information: Check out our energy-saving advice and discover which energy-related financial incentives you can take advantage of at home.

Comments

[Andy]

While it may be small compared to the size of the stimulus package, these green measures ( http://www.savingtoinvest.com/2009/05/green-energy-home-and-auto-tax-crdits.html ) are a step in the right direction to making America less dependent on non-renewable energy sources. Bravo.