House Passes American Clean Energy and Security Act Climate Bill

On June 26, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the American Clean Energy and Security Act by a vote of 219 to 212. While the bill addresses many issues, ranging from industry emissions, alternative energy sources, and ending U.S. dependence on foreign oil, C.A.R. and NAR focused its attention on the real-estate related provisions of the 1,300-page bill.

In a victory for REALTORS, the House of Representatives removed a costly energy-efficient labeling program for existing properties and will limit energy labeling to new construction only. The legislation also includes financial incentives for property owners who choose to retrofit and modify their properties to make them more energy efficient. These may include financial incentives such as loans and grants, to be handled by the states. The legislation also will prohibit the Environmental Protection Agency from regulating carbon emissions from residential and commercial buildings under Clean Air Act. Lastly, the bill would create energy targets for building codes. States would be able to set their codes above what is required by the legislation; California’s building codes appear to be in compliance with the bill’s targets.