Senate Energy and Natural Resources Chairman Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M) is bringing Home Star legislation to his committee for discussion this Thursday. Supporters of Home Star, an incentive program giving rebates for energy efficiency improvements, range from Home Depot and Lowes to labor unions, to environmental groups, to countless of underemployed building contractors. On Friday the House Energy and Commerce subcommittee will take up the issue.
The construction industry unemployment is hovering at 25% . Home Star will catalyze free market job creation as an estimated 3 million homeowners will be incentivized to retrofit their houses for improved energy efficiency. Money saved on energy bills will stay in regional economies, providing an important stimulus to local communities- many who have yet to see the benefit of expensive bank bailouts.
Phil Giudice, commissioner, Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources will be an official witness to the Senate hearing on Home Star this Thursday, March 11.
