Rep. Hammon offered the following resolution:
House Resolution No. 199.
A resolution to urge the United States Congress to enact legislation to provide for an energy efficiency block grant program.
Whereas, The Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Tax Act of 2007 (H.R. 3221) is comprehensive energy legislation that among other things, establishes an energy efficiency block grant program. This program will stimulate energy independence starting from a grassroots level by supporting community-based energy efficiency and conservation efforts. The legislation authorizes a total of $2 billion per year from 2008 to 2012 for local and state energy efficiency efforts; and
Whereas, This new block grant program is modeled after the successful federal community development block grant program, which also gives money directly to cities, counties, and states for economic development and housing programs. The energy efficiency block grant program focuses 70 percent of funds on cities populated by 50,000 or more and counties populated by 200,000 or more. Remaining resources would be appropriated to state governments to pass on to less populated areas; and
Whereas, As our nation continues to grow in both population and energy usage, the development of energy efficiency programs is crucial to enable the nation to meet its energy needs and to mitigate global warming. Sustainable and efficient energy strategies are conducive to economic prosperity, health, and well-being and to the ability of the nation to manage future energy circumstances; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we urge the United States Congress to enact legislation to provide for an energy efficiency block grant program; and be it further
Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and the members of the Michigan congressional delegation.