Hillarysworld

The Home Star bill, passed 246-161, would authorize $5.7 billion over two years for a program that supporters — mostly Democrats— said would have the added benefits of invigorating the slumping construction industry and making Earth a little cleaner.

"Home Star is that solid investment that's going to achieve that hat trick of energy savings for the homeowner, of moving toward a cleaner environment and of creating jobs here at home," said bill sponsor Rep. Peter Welch, D-Vt.

Republicans overwhelmingly opposed the bill, and they were able to attach a condition that it would be terminated if Democrats do not come up with a way to pay for it.

The measure has come to be dubbed cash for caulkers, a takeoff on the popular 2009 cash-for-clunkers initiative that rewarded people for replacing gas-guzzling vehicles with more fuel-efficient models.

The initiative is separate from an energy tax credit of up to $1,500 that was included in last year's economic stimulus act.

That credit for energy-efficiency improvements runs through Dec. 31.

[SNIP]

With House passage, the bill moves to the Senate, where it most likely will be attached to the next jobs bill.

Full article @ USAToday.com

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The draft of this bill came out for discussion on the floor when I was out ill for surgery and was recovering.. and I never got to digest it as I was pretty much out of commission... If any of you got to read and understand it, please post a summary. Thanks.


-- Edited by Sanders on Tuesday 11th of May 2010 10:32:54 AM