| “Cash for Caulkers” (formally known as | | | | but it will take time for Congress to draft and |
| the HOME STAR Program) is a proposed US | | | | approve legislation, and the details of the program |
| federal government program that would give | | | | may evolve significantly as part of that process. |
| households incentives in the form of low-cost | | | | You may have also heard about the Retrofit for |
| loans, tax rebates, tax breaks, and even | | | | Energy and Environmental Performance (REEP) |
| immediate point-of-sale rebates to pay for | | | | Program Act. This is a separate initiative |
| weatherization and other energy-saving retrofit | | | | introduced in the House of Representatives last |
| projects. The Cash for Caulkers program will be | | | | March that targets energy efficiency retrofits for |
| similar to last year’s “Cash for | | | | residential and commercial buildings nationwide. |
| Clunkers” only it will focus on retrofitting | | | | While HOME STAR is a short-term stimulus |
| homes to make them more energy efficient as | | | | program with a two-year time frame, REEP is a |
| well as upgrades to ENERGY STAR appliances. | | | | long-term program that would continue after the |
| The HOME STAR “Cash for Caulkers” | | | | HOME STAR incentives expire. The REEP bill has |
| Program was recommended by a board of | | | | more than 60 cosponsors in the House. |
| prominent business leaders asked to advise the | | | | REEP is included in the Waxman-Markey climate bill |
| White House on ways to help stimulate the | | | | passed by the House last June, and in a similar bill |
| economy. Their proposal has been warmly | | | | now pending in the Senate. For this legislation to |
| embraced by the Obama administration, but | | | | move forward, the Senate must pass its version |
| funding and implementation of the program will | | | | of the bill, then the Senate and House versions |
| require Congressional action. We don’t expect | | | | must be reconciled before a final bill can be signed |
| to see much movement in that regard until after | | | | into law by the President. With health care reform |
| the health care reform bill is completed. | | | | and other prominent issues dominating the Senate |
| Legislative support for HOME STAR is unrelated | | | | calendar, we’re not likely to see progress on |
| to the jobs bill passed by the House late last year. | | | | the bill before spring. |
| Separate legislation is in the works to define the | | | | For timely updates and analysis of the HOME |
| structure and funding sources for HOME STAR. | | | | STAR Program, including detailed information on |
| What is the likelihood of HOME STAR becoming | | | | how you can take advantage of this program, |
| law? Right now, the Legislative process is just | | | | please visit Cash for Caulkers Program Guide and |
| beginning. We believe that there is strong support, | | | | Home Star Program Guide. |