Key Provisions in the Bill Include:

• Provides incentives for new and existing structures financed by HUD to meet or exceed the minimum energy efficiency standards established in the bill.
   
  
• Directs HUD to establish a four-year, 50,000-unit demonstration program to highlight the cost effectiveness of funding a portion of the costs of meeting the enhanced HUD energy efficiency standards.  In addition, the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) is encouraged to insure at least 50,000 energy efficient mortgages by December 31, 2012.  As FHA begins seeking these types of mortgages, a market will emerge among homebuilders, home owners and lenders seeking to acquire federal insurance on mortgage products.
  Provides resources to the non-profit and for-profit community organizations to extend the availability of energy efficient products for existing homes.
   
  
• Establishes a residential energy efficiency block grant program, according to established formulas under the community development block grant program, to distribute grants for the sole purpose of improving the energy-efficiency of single-family or multi-family housing, with preference given to projects that meet the efficiency standards highlighted in section 5(b) of the reported bill.
   
  
• Partnerships are created with the Secretary and planting organizations to promote energy efficient location of buildings and utilize landscape architecture, including strategically planted trees, shrubs and grass, aimed at improving energy efficiency and sustainability. 
  
  
• Requires HUD to insure certain loans made by qualified energy lenders to finance the acquisition of renewable energy systems for use at residential properties.  This provision will improve the accessibility of leased renewable energy systems for home dwellers.
   

Any insight would be helpful.

Thanks!

This bill has already been passed by the U.S. House twice - in 2008 as part of the Comprehensive Energy Security and Consumer Protection Act and in 2009 as part of H.R. 2454 (the House's comprehensive climate change package).  While Senator Whitehouse has introduced a companion measure, the Senate has never taken up this legislation.  Similarly, none of the comprehensive energy or climate change bills currently being considered by the Senate include the Green Act.  Given the lack of Senate interest in this measure, it is unclear whether it can move forward despite repeated passage by the House.