House OKs cash-
for-caulkers bill for
energy upgrades


The Associated Press Via USA Today Online

WASHINGTON — Homeowners could collect
thousands of dollars in cash-for-caulkers rebates
for renovating their homes with better insulation
and energy-saving windows and doors under a new
economic stimulus bill the House passed Thursday.

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.

Supporters estimate that 3 million households
would make use of the new program, saving $9.2
billion in energy costs over a 10-year period. They
said it would create 168,000 jobs, mainly in the
recession-hit construction industry.

Republicans said the price tag was too high at a
time of mounting federal debt.

In debate on the bill, Republicans questioned
whether the government can run the rebate program
fairly and effectively. They said a $4.7 billion
weatherization program that was part of last year's
economic stimulus act has been slow to provide
grants to states.

Under Home Star, rebates or discounts would be
provided to homeowners at the time of sale. The
retailer or contractor then would submit
documentation to a processing office, which would

verify the information and forward the request to the
Energy Department for payment.

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