U.S. Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) is urging the Department of Energy (DOE) not to implement climate policies that will make homeownership less accessible.
In a letter to Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm, Scott requests that the DOE consult with the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) when implementing proposed energy efficiency standards.
As currently drafted, Scott said that the DOE’s proposed standards for energy efficiency in manufactured housing will increase costs, reduce affordable housing opportunities, and limit consumer choices, especially for low-income families.
“The DOE Standards are overly broad, unduly burdensome, and undermine commonsense efforts to increase supply and assist families looking for affordable housing opportunities,” Scott wrote to Granholm. “Moreover, they limit consumer choice for a segment of the market that is unfairly asked to bear the costs imposed by climate alarmists. I ask that you immediately delay implementation of this rule to provide hard-working families relief from this costly and misguided regulation. Furthermore, I ask that you consider withdrawing this rule and incorporate appropriate modifications…to ensure that any future regulation does not irresponsibly contribute to unnecessary costs for Americans pursuing the dream of homeownership.”
Scott is ranking member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.