American Chemistry Council Statement on House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Energy, Climate, & Grid Security Hearing

WASHINGTON, DC (October 24, 2023) — Today the House Energy and Commerce Committee Subcommittee on Energy, Climate, & Grid Security will consider and markup a package of 17 pieces of legislation, including H.R.__, the Affordable HOMES Act. The following statement may be attributed to Ross Eisenberg, president of America’s Plastic Makers®:

“The Affordable HOMES legislation would have the unfortunate effect of precluding the Department of Energy from updating and implementing bipartisan energy efficiency standards in manufactured housing that would help homeowners keep volatile energy costs in check.

“Recognizing the need to reduce energy waste in these homes, Congress—in a bipartisan energy bill in 2007—directed DOE to develop and finalize a separate energy standard for manufactured homes by 2011 based on the most recent model energy code for site-built homes (now the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code). Approximately 6.8 million manufactured homes are used as residences in the United States; in 2021, 105,772 new manufactured homes were shipped, about 7% of all new homes.

“State or municipal building energy codes cover most new home construction, but the federal government regulates manufactured homes, which are made in facilities that may ship to multiple states. The Department of Housing and Urban Development sets a building code for the homes, but it has not updated the energy provisions since 1994.

“More than ever, energy efficiency plays a critical role in conserving energy resources and saving taxpayers money on utilities, especially for those who are financially exposed to increased and volatile heating and cooling costs. Buyers of this important sector of housing would incur greater utility costs, the biggest costs to home buyers next to mortgages, if the legislation is enacted. By using the variety of high-performance plastic insulation materials that make homes more energy efficient, Americans can manage energy bills more effectively.

“We look forward to working with Members of Congress and the Committee to continue to retain energy efficiency in the built environment as a pillar in America’s comprehensive national energy policy.”