Manufacturers say HomeStar will create jobs.
Press Release Summary:
According to NAM President John Engler, manufacturers believe HomeStar program is effective way to encourage energy efficiency and immediately create jobs at time when nation is struggling with unemployment rate near 10%. Nearly one quarter of manufacturing jobs lost are in industries closely connected to housing. HomeStar program will help spur consumer demand for energy-efficient products and building materials by providing instant rebates for home energy-efficiency retrofits.
Original Press Release:
Manufacturers Say HomeStar Will Create Jobs
Program Will Lead Our Nation Toward a More Energy-Efficient Economy
WASHINGTON, D.C., - The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) President John Engler testified today on the HomeStar program before the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Energy and Environment. Following his testimony, he issued the following statement:
"Manufacturers believe the HomeStar program is an effective way to encourage energy efficiency and immediately create jobs at a time when our nation is struggling with an unemployment rate near 10 percent. Manufacturers have suffered greatly from this recession, and nearly one-quarter of the manufacturing jobs lost are in industries closely connected to housing, such as furniture, wood and textile products and building materials.
A sustainable upturn in the housing sector will be a key ingredient for getting manufacturing back on track, expanding production and creating high-paying jobs.
The HomeStar program will help spur much-needed consumer demand for energy-efficient products and building materials by providing significant and instant rebates for home energy-efficiency retrofits. This activity will immediately create jobs in manufacturing, distribution and sales of energy-efficient products.
The manufacturing sector has taken the lead in making energy efficiency a priority. As a result, we have helped the country become 46 percent more efficient in energy use per unit of GDP and reduced the energy intensity of the U.S. economy by 1.9 percent. Similar efforts by homeowners would make a substantial contribution to U.S. energy security.
Manufacturers remain committed to producing more energy-efficient consumer products such as insulation, windows, doors, skylights and heating and cooling systems. We will continue to work closely with the Administration and Congress on this important issue."
The National Association of Manufacturers is the nation's largest industrial trade association, representing manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Manufacturing has a presence in every single congressional district providing good, high-paying jobs. For more information about the Manufacturers, visit www.nam.org.
