The House of Representatives Sept. 16 approved legislation that would authorize $5 billion over five years for two programs to finance homeowner energy efficiency improvements.rnThe Rural Energy Savings Program Act (H.R. 4785), approved by a vote of 240-172, would authorize a $4.3 billion Home Star energy efficiency program under which the Energy Department would loan money to states at zero interest to enable states to provide financial assistance for residential energy efficiency measures.rnStates would be allowed to use the funding for a variety of financing mechanisms for energy efficiency improvements to be determined by the Energy Department in the future, including interest rate reductions on loans and revolving loan funds.
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