Retrofitting and the Middle Class

WHITEHOUSE.gov ^ | ATURDAY, OCTOBER 17TH, 2009 AT 1:21 PM | Posted by Terrell McSweeny

[Cindy]

Note: The following text is a quote:

THE BRIEFING ROOM • THE BLOG

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17TH, 2009 AT 1:21 PM Retrofitting and the Middle Class Posted by Terrell McSweeny

With the leaves changing color, the air crisper, and the days shorter – fall is fully upon us (well, depending on where you live) - and many Americans are putting the heat back on in their homes. In that spirit, the Vice President is holding a Middle Class Task Force event at the White House on Monday morning to unveil our "Recovery through Retrofit" report.

The report offers a plan that builds on the Recovery Act’s unprecedented investments in energy efficiency to make it easier and more effective for middle class families to retrofit their homes – helping them save money and creating jobs, while reducing carbon emissions. It’s a plan agreed to by 11 different agencies and departments – which means the federal government will lead a coordinated effort to make American homes more energy efficient.

So, be sure to check back in with us Monday to read the report and watch the event at WhiteHouse.gov/live.

Terrell McSweeny is Domestic Policy Advisor to the Vice President.

[Cindy]

ON THE INTERNET:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/StrongMiddleClass/
http://www.whitehouse.gov/recovery/
http://www.whitehouse.gov/live/

[NRA2BFree]

Well, thank God the government is going to tell us how to heat our homes. I can’t believe we have made it this far without them! It really is comforting to know that Biden is in charge of this program. < sarc / > He’s a bumbling idiot!

[Cindy]

ON THE INTERNET:

http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/biden/index

[OpusatFR]

“The report offers a plan that builds on the Recovery Act’s unprecedented investments in energy efficiency to make it easier and more effective for middle class families to retrofit their homes – helping them save money and creating jobs, while reducing carbon emissions”

Bend over! Here comes more gutting of the middle as we fork over what is left of our money to a government mandate.

Between the huge tax increases that will be necessary to pay the debt, inflation, and government mandates, I can see the future as a one bedroom flat with two families, or even three in the name of “Sustainable” living. USSR anyone?

[LiberaMa]

We’re a little worried that the Feds will soon be FORCING us to “upgrade” our furnaces and other appliances and lighting systems to be more “energy efficient” before they’ll allow us to put our homes on the market, when many of us already have “under water” homes (owing more than the house is now worth, due to the mortgage crisis & real estate crash).

Isn’t this “upgrading to better energy efficiency” stuff part of the dreaded Cap & Tax bill? How can they expect us to put all kinds of money into a house that we’re already losing money on? WHEN will the government WAKE UP and realize they’re killing the GOOSE that lays the GOLDEN EGGS by socking it to the taxpayers the way they’re doing?! :-(

[GBA]

Don't forget upgrading the windows, doors and the attic and wall insulation along with the heating and cooling systems and major appliances. Those are the BIG price tag items.

I just replaced the 17 year old a/c compressor, coil, furnace and thermostat upstairs with new...$8,000! Did the windows and doors last year and I'm still in shock over that bill.

The house is much more comfortable and the utility bills are better, but it will take years before the house's value appreciates to where I'd recoup these "investments" unless, of course, inflation kicks in. If inflation happens, I hope I can afford the "upgraded" property taxes on the "upgraded" value.