Alicia Huey, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders, issued a statement after the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Lower Energy Costs Act, H.R. 1.
“House passage of the Lower Energy Costs Act will help housing affordability by repealing a section of the Inflation Reduction Act that provides $1 billion to pressure state and local governments to adopt costly and restrictive energy codes,” says Huey. “While NAHB supports the adoption of cost-effective, modern energy codes, forcing the adoption of costly energy codes to qualify for these grants would raise housing costs and limit energy choices for consumers.”
About the Act
Introduced by Representative Steve Scalise (R-LA), the bill provides for the exploration, development, importation, and exportation of energy resources (e.g., oil, gas, and minerals). For example, it sets forth provisions to expedite energy projects, eliminate or reduce certain fees related to the development of federal energy resources, and eliminate certain funds that provide incentives to decrease emissions of greenhouse gases.
In addition, the bill also eliminates a variety of funds, such as funds for energy efficiency improvements in buildings as well as the greenhouse gas reduction fund.
