A Legislative Call to Action

Bipartisan Support Needed for Efficiency Retrofit Programs

Efficiency First urges all members to call or write to their Senators and Congressional Representatives in support of two critically important public policy initiatives that would create hundreds of thousands of new jobs in construction and related industries by stimulating demand for Home Performance retrofits.

• HOME STAR is a federal program under consideration by the White House that would create more than half a million new jobs over the next two years by offering consumers direct incentives for improving the energy efficiency of their homes. This plan would leverage a combination of public and private investment to enable a strong market for Home Performance retrofits and stimulate immediate nationwide job creation in construction and manufacturing – jobs that cannot be outsourced overseas.


• The Retrofit for Energy and Environmental Performance (REEP) program has been passed by the House of Representatives as part of the Waxman-Markey climate bill. Before the legislation can be sent to the White House for a Presidential signature, the Senate must pass its own version of the bill. Senators in particular need to get the message that REEP will reverse the employment crisis in construction and related industries while lowering energy costs for American consumers.

What you can do:

Use the links below to find contact information for Senators from your state and Representatives from your Congressional District. Then call and/or write to their offices urging them to support both programs.

• To find contact information for your Senators, go to www.senate.gov. Select your state from the “Find Your Senators” drop-down menu on the upper right corner of the page and click “Go.”
• To find contact information for your Congressional Representative, go to www.house.gov. Enter your zip code in the “Find Your Representative” search form at the upper left corner of the page (it’s OK to ignore the “+4” field) and click “Go.”

Sample letter and background information:

Use these links to download a sample letter which you can modify and personalize in any way you choose, and some background information on the REEP legislation.

• Sample letter in support of HOME STAR and REEP [text file]
• REEP and HOME STAR Talking Points [PDF]
• Summary of Proposed REEP Legislation [PDF]
• Facts About HOME STAR [PDF]

Best Practices Committee

Efficiency First is working with members across the country to identify best practices in four key areas that can affect our industry. Reports and policy recommendations will be developed by four working groups, with the purpose of directing Efficiency First and its chapters in guiding federal, state and local legislation, policy and program design. Add your voice: Join a best practices work group now>>

Local Chapters

To complement the association’s national lobbying and advocacy efforts, Efficiency First supports a network of state and local chapters formed to address local policy issues and facilitate mutually beneficial business alliances. Chapter activities include lobbying state and local governments, advocating for appropriate industry standards, promoting financing programs, workforce development training, building working relationships with regional utility companies, and joint marketing campaigns. Join a local chapter – click here>>