Dear Richard,

Over the past year I have heard from many Mainers about the importance of promoting energy efficiency and putting people to work weatherizing houses. As you well know, improving the energy efficiency of homes has the benefit of both creating jobs and reducing homeowners energy costs. In Maine, we have some of the oldest housing stock in the nation but all too frequently homeowners struggle to pay for energy efficiency improvements even though they pay off in the long run.

This is why I am proud to be a co-sponsor of H.R. 5019, the Home Star Energy Retrofit Act of 2010. The Home Star bill, commonly known as �Cash for Caulkers, will create jobs in existing industries by providing a $6 billion rebate program to stimulate strong short-term incentives for energy efficiency improvements in homes.

I'm excited to report that the House will be considering the Home Star legislation next week the week of May 3. I will be talking to my colleagues about the importance of this legislation and what it means to Maine businesses and homeowners.

If you have any suggestions or feedback on how to make this bill better, or just a great story to share on this issue, I would love to hear from you. Please contact Nick Battista in my office as soon as possible at Nick.Battista@mail.house.gov or 202-225-6116. �I want to bring your input and first-hand experience to my colleagues in the House as we debate this important program.

I would also love to hear from other members of the contractor and home efficiency trades. If you know others who may have input, feedback, or just want to hear about this program, please forward this message on to them.

This bill is a big step in the right direction, and I am hopeful it will pass the House and Senate swiftly so that we can continue to work hard at making our homes more energy efficient. This bill is only a first step -- there is much more that Maine's communities will need in order to weather the current economic crisis.

I hope you'll be touch about this issue, and I look forward to hearing from you.

Best,

Chellie

P.S. Here's how the Home Star program would work it will provide tax rebates and incentives to homeowners who improve the energy efficiency of their homes, including:

To see Mr. Munson's Reply to Congresswoman Chellie Pingree, Click Here

• Purchasing energy-efficient appliances
  
• Building mechanical systems
  
• Improving insulation
  
• Whole-home energy efficiency retrofits
  

The legislation allows for two kinds of rebates:

• The first level, known as Silver Star, would provide rebates of $1,000 to $1,500 for basic upgrades, such as replacing water heaters or adding insulation. Rebates would be capped at $3,000 per home or 50% of the total project cost, whichever is lower. Covered measures include air sealing; attic, wall, and crawl space insulation; duct sealing or replacement; and replacement of existing windows and doors, furnaces, air conditioners, heat pumps, water heaters and appliances with high-efficiency models.
  
• The second level, known as Gold Star, would allow consumers to receive a $3,000 rebate if they complete a home energy audit and make changes that cut energy costs by at least 20 percent. If the homeowner goes further, each additional 5% of modeled energy savings will earn them a $1,500 incentive.
  

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree
1st Congressional District, Maine

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