Perlmutter Legislation Promotes Going Green To Save Green

House Financial Services Committee Passes Bill

July 31, 2008

Today, U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter’s (CO-07) G.R.E.E.N. Act (Green Resources for Energy Efficient Neighborhoods) passed the House Financial Services Committee by a voice vote.

HR 6078 provides incentives to lenders and financial institutions to provide lower interest loans and other benefits to consumers, who build, buy or remodel their homes and businesses to improve their energy efficiency. This timely legislation reflects foresight and the considered input of a broad coalition of housing advocates, financial institutions, government leaders, developers, and the environmental community.

“This legislation proves it is easy to be green.  The GREEN Act will help revitalize our economy by making energy efficiency practices more affordable, accessible and achievable by consumers, businesses and government entities.  By prioritizing energy efficiency practices, we can ease the woes of homeowners, lenders, financial markets, builders and our environment,” said Perlmutter.

“I look forward to working with my colleagues to pass this measure through the full House in September.  In order to save green, we must go G.R.E.E.N.  This bill is another tool to move our country toward energy conservation. Our infrastructure is old, and when renovation or rehabilitation efforts commence we must take the opportunity to use current technologies and standards to develop healthier, more sustainable neighborhoods.”

Perlmutter’s legislation has broad support from consumers, industry, financial institutions, and developers.  H.R. 6078 is the result of a year-long Energy Efficiency Task Force focusing on how to incorporate energy efficiency  into the financial services sector..

The bill will now go to the full House of Representatives for a vote.