On Wednesday, October 14, MHI staff attended a briefing for the Energy and Natural Resources Committee staff and stakeholders announcing the “New” Partnership between EPA and DOE on Energy Efficiency in Buildings and Products. The EPA and DOE will coordinate to expand and enhance the ENERGY STAR program and the National Building Rating Program. The DOE will be the lead Agency on the National Building Rating program and EPA will be the lead Agency on the ENERGY STAR program. The goal is to expand and enhance federal energy efficiency programs so as to improve the efficiency of a broad set of energy-using products and improve the efficiency of the nation’s buildings. A Governing Council will be established comprised of the DOE Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy and the EPA Assistant Administrator for Air and Radiation.

Currently, energy efficient manufactured homes are eligible for a $1,000 tax credit to the manufacturers of ENERGY STAR HUD Code homes and $2,000 to modular homebuilders. The ENERGY STAR tax credit is set to expire at the end of 2009. Senator Olympia Snowe (ME-R) introduced S. 1637, the “Expanding Building Efficiency Incentives Act of 2009.” The bill is intended to extend the New Energy Efficiency Home Tax Credit, Section 45L, including manufactured housing, beyond 2009. S. 1637 provides for a tax credit of $1,500 for qualifying ENERGY STAR manufactured homes, an increase from the current $1,000 tax credit. The credit increases to $2,500 when the new manufactured housing ENERGY STAR requirements go into effect in 2011. The Senate is expected to release an energy omnibus bill in the fall and MHI is advocating the inclusion of S. 1637 within the energy package.

MHI will continue to monitor this issue and keep members apprised of any new developments. If you are a MHI member and have any questions, contact Rae Ann Bevington at 703-558-0675 or mailto:rbevington@mfghome.org.

Source: MHI Newswire