When the Senate returns to Washington on January 19th, stimulating the economy will be high on the to-do list. The Senate plans to take up a $154 billion jobs creation package that passed the House of Representatives in December by a vote of 217-212. MHI is advocating the inclusion of S. 1320, the “Energy Efficient Manufactured Housing Act of 2009” within the “Jobs for Main Street” bill.
A provision of this bill is intended to encourage owners of pre-1976 manufactured homes to replace those homes with new energy efficient manufactured homes that meet Energy Star standards. This legislation would offer $7500 rebates which may be provided to facilitate the purchase of a new Energy Star qualified home. The program would be funded at $1 billion with grant monies awarded by the Department of Energy to state agencies responsible for developing state energy conservation programs. The monies would be distributed to states on the basis of their proportionate share of homes constructed prior to 1976. If you are a MHI member and have any questions, contact Rae Ann Bevington at rbevington@mfghome.org.
