Obama to Pitch "Cash for Caulkers"
source: http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE6211C320100302?type=politicsNews
-
-
- islek
- added this
The plan, which must be passed by Congress, is intended to prompt Americans to invest in everything from insulation or new windows to overarching energy upgrades of their homes, creating construction and manufacturing jobs, and boosting energy efficiency.
"The current thinking is that the program would be in the range of $6 billion, and we think that would be an appropriate range for a program of this magnitude," said a senior administration official, who asked not to be named in advance of Obama's comments.
Obama will spell out details of the plan during a trip to Savannah, Georgia, the latest stop on his "White House to Main Street" tour, during which he discusses ideas for rebuilding the economy.
With unemployment just below 10 percent, Americans are anxious about the country's finances, nudging Obama's approval ratings to 50 percent or below and potentially dimming his fellow Democrats' prospects in November's congressional elections.
The program involves a range of incentives for consumers, including rebates from stores that sell building materials, companies that install the equipment and utility energy efficiency programs. Consumers could also get rebates for a range of home energy upgrades.
Dubbed "cash for caulkers" after last year's successful "cash for clunkers" automobile trade-in program, the program was first announced in early December. Obama called on Congress to support it in his State of the Union address in January.
(Full article at link)
Do you think it's a good idea? Will it prompt people to make their homes more energy efficient? Do you fee that is enough? Or do you think this program is a waste of time, money, effort, etc.? Discuss!
-
-
peterzylstramoore
-
This is a great idea.
With the housing crash, housing related construction jobs have been hit hard by the recession. Retrofitting government buildings is an upfront expenditure that will create jobs while inarguably saving us money in the long run. I live in Manitoba where Hydro is run provincially, and because we recieve lower rates on our hydro electricity ManitobaHydro wants to sell as much hydro out of province as possible. They do this by allowing Manitobans to retrofit their homes and businesses by taking a loan out through the government and continuing to pay exactly the same hydro bill (The difference between the cost of the reduced energy expenditure and the old energy costs goes towards the loan until it is paid off). In other words we pay the same energy costs until the loan is payed off. This in the long run costs the government nothing, in the short run costs homeowners nothing and in the long runs saves homeowners money. A similar program in the US would reduce peoples energy costs in the long run, and immediately put unemployed back to work.
- 2 years ago
-
peterzylstramoore
-
-
Cashmere
-
peterzylstramoore:
Great comment, excellent context and support!
- 2 years ago
-
Cashmere
-
-
glabadabadoo
-
Sounds like a solicitation for adult film stars.
- 2 years ago
-
glabadabadoo
-
-
Cashmere
-
I think it's a great way to kill two birds with one stone. Infuse money into labor job markets, and start pushing people towards more energy efficient and environmentally friendly initiatives and alternatives! Both are needed.
- 2 years ago
-
Cashmere
