Obamas Cap And Trade: An Energy License To Sell Your Home

Obamas Cap And Trade: An Energy License To Sell Your Home
By Victor Hatley on April 30, 2010, 10:43 am

With all the reform, Wall Street, housing market, and unemployment going on things on capitol hill are crazy, and some things may tend to get overlooked by the American people. It’s no wonder either, the things that are being worked on and are in the public eye are quite complicated, and that keeps the general public so confused that they don’t have the motivation to look into the deeper portions of issues that don’t seem as important. This is how the politicians can manage to sneak clauses into legislation that otherwise wouldn’t pass on it’s own merits.

The Cap And Trade Bill Needs Attention

What this says is that 1 year after the enactment a home cannot be sold unless it complies with the energy and water standards that are provided in the bill. Along with this there is a record breaking tax increase, to the tune of around $6,800 per year for a family of four. This isn’t all it does either. It requires that you have a “Label” or license displayed on your property, like an auto tag. This tag will display the homes efficiency rating, like an Energy Star rating.

You’ll Need A License To Sell Your Home

In order to sell your house you’ll need an okay from the EPA administrator. In order to get this you have to have your house energy efficiency checked, and if the home doesn’t meet the criteria (that the administrator can raise every year if he desires) retrofitting and retesting will be required. The testing costs are estimated at around $200 per test, but once the law is in effect that cost is likely to increase, and all these measures include every type of building, even mobile homes.

It is hoped that this legislation will get killed with all haste, at the very least have these things amended to satisfy the public.