Consumer, Housing, and Energy Groups Call on Senate to Vote No on Amendment that Would...

WASHINGTON, DC-Today, the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE), the National Consumer Law Center (NCLC), and the Housing Assistance Council (HAC) called on the Senate to oppose Senator Marco Rubio's amendment blocking the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) from implementing the updated minimum energy efficiency standards for new housing financed by HUD programs. HUD estimates its proposal would save an average of almost $15,000 in energy bills for a single-family home, and more than $5,000 in energy bills on average for apartments and condos.

ACEEE, NCLC, and HAC have been on the forefront of the fight to update energy codes to lower costs for Americans and improve climate resilience. Last week, the groups joined over 30 organizations in a letter opposing the Rubio amendment. Additionally, in a bipartisan vote on July 20, the Senate Appropriations Committee, on which Senator Rubio serves, voted 29-0 to approve HUD's FY2024 appropriations bill with a provision urging HUD to "expeditiously issue a final determination regarding the adoption of updated minimum energy efficiency standards, as required under 42 U.S.C. 12709."

"This amendment would lock in energy waste in new homes for decades to come and force families to pay needlessly higher utility bills," said Mark Kresowik, Senior Policy Director, American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy. "People with low incomes already spend a disproportionate share of their income on energy bills, and this amendment would exacerbate the problem. After nearly a decade of delay, the federal government is finally updating energy efficiency standards as required by a bipartisan energy law enacted in 2007. The Senate should not stand in the way of energy affordability for American families and should instead reject this misguided amendment."

"This amendment would undermine key efforts to lower utility bills for low- and moderate-income homeowners and renters, and higher energy bills increase the risk of foreclosure and eviction," said Alys Cohen, Senior Attorney, National Consumer Law Center. "We urge the Senate to reject this amendment and support stronger energy efficiency building codes, climate resiliency, and affordable housing."

"Mortgages and rent payments are already too high for far too many families, and this amendment would add insult to injury by keeping utility costs unnecessarily high. Updated energy codes will reduce utility costs and save money for homeowners and renters. We urge senators to reject the amendment," saidJonathan Harwitz, Director of Public Policy, Housing Assistance Council.