New energy legislation could lower house costs if approved by US Senate
A federal bill that could lower the cost of new homes by repealing energy efficiency programs is headed to the U.S. Senate.
The House bill, led by Fort Worth Republican Congressman Craig Goldman, repeals energy regulations related to home appliances that were set under the Biden administration.
He claimed that costly regulations under the Biden administration have pushed up the cost of homes, which makes ownership feel out of reach for many. This legislation could allow house prices to decrease up to $31,000.
In his first year, Goldman made it a priority to roll back Biden-era regulations on the House Energy and Commerce Committee.
Now in his second year on Capitol Hill, his priorities have shifted to affordability and lowering healthcare costs.
“Affordability is way more than just a buzzword,” Goldman said. “How do we decrease housing costs? How do we decrease oil and gas prices, like I mentioned? How do we decrease healthcare costs? You know, big issues that affect people in my district.”
Through the bill, called the Homeowner Energy Freedom Act, installing gas stoves and water heaters in new homes would be easier.
The Department of Energy currently has programs that reward the use of certain highly efficient electricity projects in low- and middle-income homes, which would be repealed if this bill were passed through the Senate and signed by the president. It would also repeal home energy efficiency contractor training grants and assistance for state and local governments to adopt building energy codes.
The bill is co-sponsored by Reps. Jake Ellzey, a Dallas Republican, and Dan Crenshaw, a House Republican.
Goldman said he’s hopeful the Senate will “swiftly” pass the legislation.