Building Energy Efficiency Tax Incentives Introduced in Congress

On March 4, 2003, Senators Olympia Snowe (R-Maine) and Diane Feinstein (D-California) instroduced S. 507, the Efficient Energy through Certified Technologies (EFFECT) Act. of 2003"  On March 13, 2003, the House companion to S. 507, H.R. 1271 was introduced by Randy "Duke" Cunningham (R-California) and Edward Markey (D-Massachusetts).  H.R. 1271 has the same language as S. 507.  RESNET supports S.507/H.R. 1271 as fitting with the priciples the organization has adopted concerning residential energy efficient tax incentives.  In addition, on March 11, 2003, Senators Charles Grassley (R-Iowa) and Max Baucus (D-Montana) introduced S. 597  "The Energy Tax Incentives Act of 2003" to serve as the mark-up bill for the Senate Finance Committee.

RESNET has posted on it web site a page on the proposed tax incentives.  Click on http://www.natresnet.org/taxcredit/incentives.htm

The page includes:

• RESNET's Principles on Tax Incentives for Residential Energy Efficiency
• Text and Status of S. 507, S. 597 & H.R. 1271
• Background and Summary Analysis of S.507/H.R. 1271
• Outline of Incentives Offered by S.507/H.R. 1271
• Economic Stimulus Analysis on Tax Incentives
• Comparison of Proposed Tax Incentive Bills

DOE Proposes Robust Performance Method of the International Energy Conservation Code

Partially in response to a letter from RESNET, the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and the Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC) , the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) agreed to consider an alternative to their proposed residential IECC code change. The proposed alternative, which was written with input from RESNET, NRDC, ACEEE and others, was posted on the DOE Codes web site as Alternative B. DOE has adopted Alternative B of Section 404 of the IECC and submitted it to the International Codes Conference for adoption.

To view the DOE proposal on Chapter Four of the IECC click on  http://www.natresnet.org/iecc.htm

Wall Street Journal Features Energy Mortgages

The Sunday edition of the Wall Street Journal appears in newspapers across the nation.  The Sunday papers in 75 communities on March 22, 2003, featured energy mortgages and covered home energy ratings and RESNET.  To view the feature and the newspapers that carried it, click on http://www.natresnet.org/wallstreetarticle.htm

Updates to RESNET's Web Site:

APRIL MEMBERS NEWS

+     Philip Fairey Receives RESNET Life Time Achievement Award

+     Congress Begins Consideration of National Energy Policy

+     Advance Energy's Build it Better Principels of Building Science Training

+     2003 National Workshop on State Building Energy Codes

+     Energy Efficiency Position Opening

+     Training Position Opening

+     Weatherization Special Offer

+     Multifamily Buildings 2003

+     Building Commissioning Courses

+     Demand Response Programs Report

+     Corporate Energy Policy and Equity Analysis in the 21st Century

View these news features at http://www.natresnet.org/news/mn2003-04.htm

Renewed Accredited Rating Providers

+    Builders Choice Diagnostics

+    Building Performance Contractors Association

+    Energy Gauge

+    Energy Rated Homes of the West

+    HERS Raters of Texas

+    Home Energy Ratings of Ohio

+    Lincoln Electric System

+    Oklahoma Association of Community Action Agencies

+    TexEnergy Solutions

+    Williams Insulation

View these updates at http://www.natresnet.org/accred/registry.htm

NEW RESNET MEMBERS:

+    ACEZ, Inc.

+    Energy Designed Homes

+    Energy Mortgage Program of Western Mass

+    Residential Energy Services Company, LTD

+    TexEnergy Solutions

+    Vermont Energy Investment Corporation

View these new members listings at http://www.natresnet.org/dir/members/default.htm

DIRECTORY OF CERTIFIED RATERS

Updated listings for:

+    Alabama

+    Arkansas

+    Georgia

+    Kentucky

+    Louisiana

+    Nevada

+    New Mexico

+   North Carolina

+    Oklahoma

+   South Carolina

+    Tennessee

+    Texas

+    Virginia

+    West Virginiaa

View the updated listing at http://www.natresnet.org/dir/raters/default.htm

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RESNET is your information source on the latest developments in the dynamic field of residential energy efficiency financing.  Residential energy efficiency and housing industry professionals find RESNET Notes as an indispensable tool for planning and implementing home energy rating, energy mortgage, and market-drive residential energy efficiency programs.  Join RESNET today!

You can join RESNET on-line at http://www.natresnet.org/inside/memprem.asp