Rebuilding America is a first-of-its-kind
effort to bring stakeholders together and create momentum to capture the
benefits of retrofitting buildings to improve their energy efficiency. Our coalition is committed
to make the retrofitting of 50 million
homes and businesses the foundation of America's economic recovery and clean
energy strategy.Join us.
Builder
and contractor associations representing thousands of large and
small businesses across the country.
Manufacturers that
make the insulation, lighting, building products, and mechanical systems for
efficient buildings.
Millions
of labor union members represented through the AFL-CIO, the
Building and Construction Trades Department, Change to Win and individual
unions such as the Sheet Metal Workers International Association.
Consumer
groups, such as the Consumer Federation of America, whose members
understand that retrofits will save consumers money.
Financial
institutions and insurance companies who see new market opportunities
for efficiency investments in buildings that will strengthen their asset base.
Energy
and environmental advocates, including the Energy Future Coalition,
the Center for American Progress, and the American Council for an
Energy-Efficient Economy, who view energy efficiency as the cleanest and
cheapest way to meet our climate goals.
Building retrofits are an indispensible solution for economic
recovery and a clean energy future that creates jobs, reduces consumer energy
costs, and curbs greenhouse gas pollution.
By adopting our plan, Congress and the administration can:
Create and sustain 625,000 good jobs in construction, manufacturing,
and related fields;
Save households an average of $832 annually by 2030 as part of
comprehensive energy/climate protection legislation; and,
Avoid at least 42 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions per
year, the equivalent of taking 85 million cars off the road by 2020.
Establish a stand-alone,
national Energy Efficiency Resource Standard of 10% by 2020.
Require that at least one-third of utility allowances are used for energy efficiency while
increasing the state allowance allocation for renewables and efficiency to 10% through 2030,
dedicating 25% to retrofits.
Support innovative
financing tools for energy efficiency including the Clean Energy Development
Administration (CEDA) and its backing for Property Assessed Clean Energy Bonds.
Establish provisions for
accelerated depreciation, investment tax credits, and other incentives for
advanced HVAC, smart meters, and other energy-efficient technologies.
Link federal
financial support for retrofits to standards for job quality, skills training,
reporting, and transparency to ensure consumer confidence and verifiable energy
savings.
