Incentives for Building Contractors to Increase Energy Conservation in Existing Homes and Structures

Number: 2009-05

 

WHEREAS, climate change is a serious threat to forests, wildlife and habitat, and local economies that depend on natural resources; and

WHEREAS, energy conservation helps reduce the pollution that contributes to climate change; and

WHEREAS, buildings are responsible for more than 45 percent of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change; and

WHEREAS, the majority of the U.S. population lives and works in older structures often without updated energy saving materials, efficient central heating sources, and energy efficient windows, insulation, lighting, storm doors, etc.; and

WHEREAS, existing state and federal energy programs have been effective incentives for people who have had the ability to match available funding or use tax incentives; and

WHEREAS, the existing federal tax deduction incentives are not sufficient in that they only work for those who can afford to take the deductions; and

WHEREAS, solar, geothermal, and other low emission technologies often require larger upfront retrofit investments compared to traditional building materials and technologies; and

WHEREAS, homeowners and small businesses, especially during the recession, are less able to afford or finance the significant upfront costs to improve home energy efficiency; and

WHEREAS, there is a need to put skilled people back to work to conserve energy, revitalize neighborhoods and cities, and put human energy and value back into what exists; and

WHEREAS, a new federal “Energy Conservation Incentive Program For Contractors” could help homeowners/small local business owners match existing state incentives for energy updates; and

WHEREAS, a program that gives incentives to contractors to do energy efficiency retro-fitting projects would ultimately help the economy and the majority of the population who live or work in older houses or buildings; and

WHEREAS, funding for training and certification of contractors would encourage proper use of incentive funding;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation, at its annual meeting assembled April 30 – May 2 2009 in Pittsburgh, PA, urges Congress and the Administration to enact legislation to encourage the conservation of energy by the American public that live and work in existing structures by:

1) continuing the tax incentives for energy conservation upgrades for homeowners; and

2) continuing funding into existing state energy conservation programs; and

3) creating an “Energy Conservation Incentive Program for Contractors” to update existing homes and structures for energy conservation and for training and certification.