Cash For Caulkers Blog » Homestar

Will the Nuclear Power Debate Resurrect Cash for Caulkers?

Cash For Caulkers — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 20:07:54 +0000

With the recent earthquake and tsunami in Japan, the safety of nuclear energy has been getting a lot of attention recently. In Germany, Chancellor Angela Merkel ordered the closure of Germany’s seven oldest nuclear plants pending a security review. The discussion of nuclear safety has been taking place in the United States as well.

Taking a step back, it has been many months since the governments Homestar program, commonly known as Cash for Caulkers, has had any political or media support. It has looked as if the program will never get off the ground. However, with nuclear power becoming an emerging issue, we can only wonder if the Cash for Caulkers program debate will surface again. Although the government is trying to identify ways to make spending cuts, the Homestar plan could help reduce energy demand and could be a logical investment in the country’s future.

Although the Cash for Caulkers program never made it to the Senate, the Department of Energy did announce the Home Energy Score pilot program. The pilot program ends this spring, and if it was successful it might be rolled out to more cities in 2011. Perhaps the current debate on nuclear energy will resurrect the principles of the Cash for Caulkers plan, whether it be in the bill that the House of Representatives passed in 2010 or if it is in the form of the Home Energy Score program.

Cash for Caulkers Doesn’t Get Mentioned in the President’s State of the Union Address

Cash For Caulkers — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 03:48:45 +0000

President Obama addressed the nation in the State of the Union address this evening. However, he didn’t mention the proposed Homestar, commonly known as Cash for Caulkers, program.

In Obama’s 2010 State of the Union address he stated his support for giving homeowners rebates for energy efficiency. Approximately four months later the House of Representatives passed their version of the Homestar bill.

In 2011 the polical climate is much different. The Democrats no longer have the majority in the House. Public pressure is on to reduce the deficit and Obama has responded by proposing a 5-year freeze on discretionary spending and by stating he’ll reject any bills that come to him with earmarks. Obama also called for investment in science, education, and infrastructure.

Obama’s only mention of energy was to set a new goal of having 80% of America’s electricity from clean energy sources by 2035.

With deep spending cuts on the horizon, a climate where earmarks will be challenged, no mention of Cash for Caulkers in the State of the Union, and Republicans ready to challenge the agenda put forth by the Democrats, it appears unlikely the Cash for Caulkers program will be discussed further anytime soon.

What is Your Opinion of Cash for Caulkers?

Cash For Caulkers — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 01:23:09 +0000

Although Congress has been silent on the Homestar program recently, NPR recently published a story about how the Goldstar and Silverstar programs would work. The article generated a lively discussion with 78 comments. So, what do you think about the proposed Homestar program that the Senate needs to vote on? Are you in favor of it or against it? Why? Please leave a comment.

Harry Reid, A Supporter of Cash for Caulkers, May Not Get Re-Elected

Cash For Caulkers — Sat, 23 Oct 2010 16:02:52 +0000

According to Politico, early voting in two of Nevada’s largest counties has been higher on the Republican side, which does not favor Harry Reid’s bid for re-election. This reduces the already slim probability that a Cash for Caulkers bill will get passed any time soon.

As you may recall, in July Harry Reid planned to introduce the bill to the Senate and hoped to pass the bill before the Senate took a recess in August. The bill never came up for discussion and media coverage of the HomeStar program has been basically non-existent since then.

What Happened to the Cash for Caulkers Program?

Cash For Caulkers — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 23:35:08 +0000

The Senate returned from their recess back on September 10th. Contrary to the goals of some in the Senate, there has been very little discussion of the proposed HomeStar program (commonly known as Cash for Caulkers). With the possibility that the democrats would lose control of the House of Representatives in the elections on November 2nd, it is unlikely that any Senators would publicly campaign for the Cash for Caulkers program. With a projected deficit of over $1.4 trillion this year, the electorate simply does not want to see increased government spending, as evidenced by a recent Gallup poll which listed the economy, jobs, dissatisfaction with government, and the budget deficit. So, if the Republicans do strengthen their presence in Washington, it is unlikely that the HomeStar program will ever get passed. However, we’ll continue to monitor the Cash for Caulkers effort, and will post updates as they are available.

Senate to Address Energy Legislation in September

Cash For Caulkers — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 19:45:16 +0000

The Senate is currently on recess and is scheduled to return on September 10th. Upon their return it is expected that they will address legislation on energy, small business, and appropriations bills. The energy legislation should include discussion of the proposed Homestar, or “Cash for Caulkers”, program that the House passed earlier this year.

What are the odds of Cash for Caulkers passing the Senate? Leave your comment below!

Senator Reid to Introduce Home Star Bill to the Senate Today

Cash For Caulkers — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 11:01:27 +0000

According to the Financial Times, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid released details of an energy bill on Tuesday, July 27th. However, at the time of this post Senator Reid’s website does not contain comment or details on the energy bill. The Financial Times article states the bill will provide $5 billion in incentives for the Home Star program, which will give rebates to homeowners to make their homes more energy efficient.

According to CNBC, Senator Reid will introduce the Home Star bill today in the Senate, and hopes to get this bill passed next week before the Senate takes its August recess.

House of Representatives Passes “Cash for Caulkers” Homestar Bill

Cash For Caulkers — Fri, 07 May 2010 02:38:06 +0000

Today the House of Representatives passed the $6 billion Cash for Caulkers bill. According to CBS News, the cost of the proposed program is at $5.7 billion over two years. The bill will now go to the U.S. Senate, and if approved there, will then go to the President. Based on the President’s previous comments about the program, it appears he would sign the Homestar bill into law without question.

The proposed Homestar program is split up into two tiers:

The Silver Star program would provide upfront rebates of up to $3,000 for specific energy-efficient improvements in homes, such as installing energy-efficient appliances or duct sealing, insulation or new windows or doors.

The Gold Star program would entitle people to up to $8,000 when they conduct comprehensive energy audits and implement measures that reduce energy use throughout their homes by more than 20 percent.

Will Obama Discuss Cash for Caulkers on January 27th?

Cash For Caulkers — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 18:23:29 +0000

Will Obama discuss the Cash for Caulkers in his State of the Union Address on January 27th?

On one hand, now that Scott Brown has been elected as a Massachusetts Senator, one could argue the odds of the Cash for Caulkers program becoming a reality probably have decreased. With Brown’s victory, the Democrats no longer have their supermajority which is needed to overcome any GOP filibusters. The number one priority for the Democrats right now is trying to deliver on the President’s desire for health care reform, which is distracting from any progress with Cash for Caulkers.

On the other hand, the White House may seek to do something about the unemployment rate and promote the Cash for Caulkers plan as a way to not only increase energy efficiency in our country, but also put people to work.

What do you think? Will the President reveal more about his intentions for Cash for Caulkers next week? Leave a comment with your opinion below.

Photo courtesy of: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jurvetson/ / CC BY 2.0

Homeowners Could Receive Up To $12,000 in Rebates With Cash for Caulkers

Cash For Caulkers — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 20:49:14 +0000

In a recent article published by CNN Money, Steve Nadel, a director at the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, says that homeowners could get up to $12,000 in rebates through the Homestar (aka “Cash for Caulkers”) program. The Obama administration, who proposed the new program, didn’t immediatly provide detailed information about what would be covered. However, the article states that Nadel also said that the following items would probably be covered in the Cash for Caulkers program:

Air conditioners
Heating systems
Washing machines
Refrigerators
Windows
Insulation

The article goes on to say that consumers could be eligible for a 50% rebate and the total cost of the program is estimated to be $10 billion at this time.