WASHINGTON – On Thursday Congressman Mike Thompson (D-St. Helena) voted in favor of the Home Star Energy Retrofit Act of 2010, which passed the House by a bipartisan vote of 246-161.

This bill would offer rebates to households that renovate their homes to be more energy efficient. In addition to benefiting home owners, this bill will create local jobs in construction, retail, and manufacturing.

“Every home can be energy efficient,” said Congressman Thompson. “By providing these rebates for families, we can create new jobs, save people money on their electricity bills, and move the United States towards energy independence.”

The Home Star Energy Retrofit Act offers rebates up to $3,000 for specific energy-saving investments, including insulation, duct sealing, windows and doors, air sealing and water heaters.

Homeowners also can be eligible for a rebate up to $8,000 if they wish to conduct a comprehensive energy audit and implement measures to reduce energy use.

Congressman Thompson has prioritized the promotion of alternate energy and energy efficiency in Congress. He introduced H.R. 4085 which offers a significant tax credit to solar manufacturers to promote green energy and stimulate job creation here in the United States.

He successfully included provisions in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act that allow state and local governments to more easily finance the purchase of solar systems and access $2.4 billion in new energy conservation bonds to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Additionally, the Thompson provisions provide grants to incentivize businesses to invest in renewable technology today, rather than waiting until the economy improves.

Thompson has also introduced the STORAGE Act, which would provide a tax credit to individuals and businesses when they purchase energy storage systems.

Energy storage systems allow consumers to keep excess energy generated by devices like solar panels or wind turbines when energy is in low demand and then use it during periods of peak demand, reducing consumers’ electricity bills and greatly enhancing the reliability of alternative energy sources.

The Home Star Energy Retrofit Act now heads to the Senate, where it must be passed before being sent to the President to be signed into law.