Lake County Record-Bee - Congressional trio pushes for PACE

Three members of Congress -- two Republicans and one Democrat -- joined for a press conference on Wednesday to promote The Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) program and urge the rest of Congress to join them.

The bipartisan group of members included Reps. Mike Thompson (D-St.Helena), Nan Hayworth (R-N.Y.), and Dan Lungren (R-Calif.) who introduced the PACE Protection Act of 2011. The PACE program is currently available in 28 states.

Following the press conference, Thompson said, "There's enormous potential for jobs in Lake County, and everywhere for that matter. The new majority has not done anything as far as job bills. Here's an opportunity to create jobs."

The program allows property owners to finance energy efficiency and renewable energy projects for their homes and commercial buildings without any government subsidies or taxes.

According to Thompson, it results in lower utility bills for property owners and job creation in the hard-hit construction industry.

"PACE promotes energy efficiency in ways that are good for our country, our economy and our environment," Thompson said. "It saves property owners money by lowering energy costs and perhaps more important, creates jobs without taxes or government subsidies. Congresswoman Hayworth, Congressman Lungren and I are committed to protecting PACE for the future, which is why we introduced legislation to continue to allow property owners to finance innovative energy projects through these innovative, affordable and responsible programs."

The PACE Protection Act addresses adverse action taken by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and the regulators at the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) that has prevented communities nationwide from harnessing PACE benefits. The PACE Protection Act of 2011 is meant to protect PACE programs from federal overreach by the FHFA and allow them to continue reducing energy consumption, boosting the economy and creating jobs, without mandates from the government or taxpayer funds.

Valerie Brown, Sonoma Supervisor District 1, also spoke to the press Wednesday about the PACE program.

"This is a win-win. It's the most positive program we've seen in Sonoma," Brown said.

Sonoma saw a 7-percent increase in construction, and Brown said that was not new construction. She said PACE is an innovative government tool that creates critical new revenue and puts people to work in their community.

"PACE programs in our states have allowed homeowners to make energy-saving modifications on their houses through a voluntary assessment on their own property, at no cost to local taxpayers," Hayworth said. "PACE programs create jobs and help Americans to conserve energy, saving on those costs and protecting our environment. Unfortunately, interference by the Federal Home Finance Administration (FHFA) has prevented states from enabling all of their homeowners to take advantage of PACE. Our bill addresses the concerns of FHFA and facilitates participation by homeowners in every state with a PACE program, which will in turn promote conservation, energy savings, and job creation."

Independent studies have shown the benefits of PACE to be substantial to homeowners, the economy, the environment, federal, state and local governments.

"My colleagues and I are fighting for a common sense program that would both increase the value of homes involved and help create jobs in our region. The time is now, more than ever to pass legislation that will accomplish this goal," Lungren said.

Thompson said "I am disappointed that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac didn't work with us administratively." He would have liked to see PACE in place "yesterday." He said any place can benefit from PACE, "It just takes a committed local government."

Lungren said during the conference, "These days it's kind of nice to come together (Republicans and Democrats) on something we can all agree on. This is a bipartisan, bicoastal effort."

Lungren stated, "... My colleagues and I proposed a plan that will ensure we don't continue to kick the debt can down the road. Our nation's current debt burden will crush us if left unchecked. This is not about election politics it is about the future of our children and grandchildren. The fundamental question facing the Congress is a clear one. Will we leave them saddled with a burdensome mountain of debt or will we have the courage to leave them a country where they have the same opportunities for success enjoyed by previous generations of Americans."

For more information about the PACE program visit www.pacenow.org.