Congressman Ed Whitfield (R-1st-KY) who chairs the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Energy and Power said that a new government report detailing a major increase in federal spending on energy subsidies should be considered by the bicameral committee charged with identifying more than $1 trillion in deficit reduction. The Energy Information Administration (EIA) analysis found that federal energy spending totaled $37.2 billion in 2010, more than double the $17.9 billion spent when the analysis was last conducted in 2007.

As the bi-partisan panel looks for ways to close the deficit gap, all government expenditures will be reviewed. Deep within the EIA report click here

lays a one-line item which is critical to our industry, the Energy Star Tax Credit for new energy efficient homes known as “45L”. While the manufactured housing credit is a very minute part of the EIA report, all line items will be reviewed for potential cost savings to the federal government. MHI staff will continue to lobby in favor of extending the tax credit and convey to legislators that eliminating the housing credit will undermine job growth and economic recovery.