Senate Bill Would Repeal Onerous Energy Codes Provision

At NAHB’s urging, Sen. Mike Braun (R-Ind.) introduced S. 2806, the Homeowner Energy Freedom Act, legislation that would repeal a section of the Inflation Reduction Act that provides $1 billion to pressure state and local governments to adopt costly and restrictive energy codes. 

Joining as original co-sponsors were Sens. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), John Thune (R-S.D.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), J.D. Vance (R-Ohio) and Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.)

“NAHB commends these 12 senators for introducing the Homeowner Energy Freedom Act, legislation that will protect energy choices for consumers while preserving housing affordability,” said NAHB Chairman Alicia Huey. “While NAHB supports the adoption of cost-effective, modern energy codes, we oppose the current law that pressures state and local governments to adopt costly and restrictive energy codes to qualify for federal grants. By directly addressing this issue, the bill will help make housing more affordable for countless American families.”

NAHB believes that forcing the adoption of costly energy codes to qualify for these grants would exacerbate the current housing affordability crisis and limit energy choices for consumers. Adoption of the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code can cost a home buyer as much as $31,000 in additional costs and can take as long as 90 years for home owners to see a payback from these investments.

The Homeowner Energy Freedom Act is a Senate companion bill to legislation passed by the House earlier this year, the Lower Energy Costs Act (H.R. 1).

As the legislative process moves forward, NAHB will work with lawmakers to pass the Homeowner Energy Freedom Act either as a standalone bill or by attaching it to other must-pass legislative vehicles.