President Obama recently ramped up his administration’s push for a national clean energy agenda, as well as a way to provide traction for the economic recovery by creating “Green Jobs.” And he did so by re-introducing a proposed Home Star Program along side Efficiency First, a nation-wide non-profit which promotes cooperation within the building and construction industry.
The President first mentioned this proposal in his State of The Union address. This program would provide up to rebates between $2000 to $3000 to homeowners who want to lower then utility bills and conserve energy. Simply by upgrading your home’s insulation, weather stripping, doors, roofing and windows to make your home energy efficient you spend less each month.
And just who would do the work to install and update to help save you money by cutting energy costs? The construction industry in America is looking at an unemployment rate of 24.7% based on January jobs reports. That’s one of the highest for any particular industry in the country. 2.1 million construction industries have lost their jobs. The president is not only looking to help you save money and the country energy, but he’s looking to put back to work those trained to help you save money and the country energy: Construction Workers!
So, think about it. You get a rebate, spend the money to hire someone who works in a hard-hit industry, that person makes money, lives a more satisfying life, and pays taxes which help lower this country’s growing debt and deficit.
I didn’t just fall off the turnip truck yesterday. I know there are many more steps. But a proposal to lower utility costs, put people back to work, help lower our national bills, and save energy is better than no proposal at all.
I went to the Home Star website and was pleased with what it offers. There are four simple steps to join up and save. It also provides a link to national and state government law makers so you can talk up the “Talking Points” with them. Check it out. Give the lawmakers a call or write them an email to ecourage them to get behind this important and much needed program to save money and energy, and to help create “Green Jobs.”
