Kratovil Backs Bill to Create Clean Energy Jobs While Lowering Energy Bills in Rural Communities

Press Release

Today, Rep. Frank Kratovil voted for legislation to create good paying American jobs in the clean energy industry while strengthening rural economies and reducing home energy costs. The Rural Energy Savings Act, or "Rural Star," will provide loans to American families and farmers to improve their energy efficiency and lower their utility bills, creating American manufacturing and installation jobs in the process. This program will help rural electric cooperatives, like Choptank Electric Cooperative, save money and lower energy costs.

"Our economic recovery is dependent on giving American families, small businesses, and farmers, the tools they need to cut their costs and create good paying jobs within our communities," said Rep. Kratovil. "This common sense initiative will give residents of rural communities critical needed to make their homes and farms more energy efficient -- saving money and creating jobs."

"Rural Star" programs offer homeowners loans of about $3,000 to $7,500 to eliminate the upfront cost of home energy upgrades, which customers will then repay over 10 years on their electric bill -- with their energy savings from the renovations covering most of the cost of the loan. The Rural Star and Loan Star programs in this bill will boost demand for energy efficient products, materials, and construction and installation services that are made in America; over 90% of these products and materials --caulking, insulation, HVAC systems, hot water heaters, sealant, windows, doors other structural materials -- are made in America.

"Currently we are a crossroads where rural customers are facing increasing costs for electric power while there is still a growing demand to build new energy capacity," said Rep. Kratovil. "By providing loans to qualified customers we allow them to build greater capacity while still saving on their energy bills and allow them to use their capital to create jobs and grow the economy."

The Rural Energy Savings Act is part of a national manufacturing strategy to create the high-skill, high-wage jobs while promoting American competitiveness, innovation, and exports. The legislation is fiscally responsible and according to the Congressional Budget Office, will not add to the federal deficit.

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