SEEC Building Resilient Housing Task Force Criticizes HUD, USDA Effort to Increase Energy Costs for Homeowners and Renters

Washington, D.C. – The Co-Chairs of the House Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition (SEEC) Building Resilient Housing Task Force Reps. Dave Min (CA) and Johnny Olszewski (MD) sent a letter to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretaries Scott Turner and Brooke Rollins in response to HUD and USDA’s Notice for Comment on July 7th, which aims to rollback key energy efficiency building codes that are saving homeowners and renters thousands of dollars on their energy bills.

“If you are in fact working towards the goal of ‘Delivering Emergency Price Relief for American Families and Defeating the Cost-of-Living Crisis’ as stated by the Executive Action you cited in the public comment notice, we urge you to uphold these building codes, which will reduce household energy costs over the lifetime of the a home and will increase the resilience of new homes to ever-worsening disasters, thereby keeping rising insurance premiums in check,” the Task Force Co-Chairs wrote.

“Resurrecting a closed debate wastes time and taxpayer money. [These] building codes have already made American households safer and more prosperous. Rolling them back will only force the burden of rising energy prices and health costs further onto the shoulders of hopeful homebuyers pursuing the American Dream. We urge HUD and USDA to uphold these building codes and protect cost savings for Americans during a time of acute need.”

Read the full letter here.