How to promote greener communities (Rep. Ed Perlmutter)

Yesterday the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity heard my proposed Green Resources for Energy Efficient Neighborhoods (GREEN) Act of 2009. If passed, the bill will encourage lenders to give low interest loans and other incentives to people trying to improve the energy efficiency of their homes or businesses. As a chair of the Energy Efficiency Task Force in the House Financial Services Committee I have made it one of my top priorities to promote energy efficiency in our country.

It is America’s duty, as a global leader, to set an example for other nations to start becoming more energy efficient. In order to set this example it is Congress’ responsibility to promote legislation putting our country at the forefront of energy conservation. By passing the GREEN Act we will be closer to accomplishing this goal by promoting the creation of sustainable communities through the encouragement of energy efficiency and developing renewable resources.

Moving our housing towards energy efficiency is an idea many support and many legislative proposals address.  The GREEN Act strikes the right balance in showing it is easy being green by making energy efficient practices affordable, accessible and achievable for consumers, businesses, and government entities.