Thursday, October 14, 2010
Sunday, October 10, 2010
NRDC Sues Federal Housing Regulators for Blocking Affordable Clean Energy Projects for Homeowners
NEW YORK, N.Y. (October 6, 2010) – Federal housing regulators must stop obstructing programs that make energy efficiency upgrades and renewable energy projects affordable for American homeowners, according to a lawsuit filed today by the Natural Resources Defense Council.
“Federal housing regulators are standing in the way of programs that make clean energy projects affordable for homeowners and lower electricity bills,” said Katherine Kennedy, Energy Counsel at NRDC. “It defies common sense that the federal government is blocking programs that could create jobs, jumpstart our economy, put money in homeowners’ pockets, and fight climate change at the same time. Instead of shutting them down, the federal government should help these programs grow.”
NRDC filed the lawsuit in federal district court in the Southern District of New York against the Federal Housing Finance Agency, which regulates government sponsored mortgage buyers Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, which regulates national banks. The agencies have halted clean energy financing programs—called Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) programs— that are already off the ground in California, Colorado and New York, and have been adopted in 20 other states and the District of Columbia.
NRDC Complaint
“Federal housing regulators are standing in the way of programs that make clean energy projects affordable for homeowners and lower electricity bills,” said Katherine Kennedy, Energy Counsel at NRDC. “It defies common sense that the federal government is blocking programs that could create jobs, jumpstart our economy, put money in homeowners’ pockets, and fight climate change at the same time. Instead of shutting them down, the federal government should help these programs grow.”
NRDC filed the lawsuit in federal district court in the Southern District of New York against the Federal Housing Finance Agency, which regulates government sponsored mortgage buyers Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, which regulates national banks. The agencies have halted clean energy financing programs—called Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) programs— that are already off the ground in California, Colorado and New York, and have been adopted in 20 other states and the District of Columbia.
NRDC Complaint
Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) program on the ropes
National Association of Counties: County News
By Julie Ufner
ASSOCIATE LEGISLATIVE DIRECTOR
As the clock ticks to the end of the 111th Congress, many local governments are anxious about the fate of the Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) program.
In July, NACo members passed a resolution at NACo’s Annual Meeting to support PACE programs. Since then, NACo has been lobbying with the National League of Cities and the U.S. Conference of Mayors in support of PACE programs.
READ MORE
By Julie Ufner
ASSOCIATE LEGISLATIVE DIRECTOR
As the clock ticks to the end of the 111th Congress, many local governments are anxious about the fate of the Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) program.
In July, NACo members passed a resolution at NACo’s Annual Meeting to support PACE programs. Since then, NACo has been lobbying with the National League of Cities and the U.S. Conference of Mayors in support of PACE programs.
READ MORE
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