This week, Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) and Rob Portman (R-Ohio) introduced bipartisan legislation that would enact a national energy efficiency strategy, which also promotes job growth.

The Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act of 2011 contains a broad package of low-cost tools that would reduce barriers for businesses, homeowners and consumers looking to adopt off-the-shelf energy efficiency technologies that will save them money.

A key provision for manufactured housing is that it establishes a loan program for customers of rural electric co-ops to pay for energy-efficiency improvement projects to their homes or small businesses. Customers would repay the loans over 10 years through their electric bills, at an interest rate of not more than three percent.

The legislation also adopts new efficiency standards for outdoor lighting and higher standards for a number of household appliances. It would set new efficiency standards for furnaces, heat pumps, central air conditioners, room air conditioners, clothes washers and dryers, refrigerators, freezers, and dishwashers.

Staff will monitor this legislation and keep members apprised of any new developments.

For additional information, members can contact Rae Ann Bevington at 703-558-0675 or rbevington@mfghome.org.