OU praises faith-based inclusion in energy bill

The Orthodox Union is applauding the passage of energy legislation last week, particularly noting the presence in the bill of a provision it had pushed.

The legislation will provide subsidies of up to 50 percent of the cost of retrofitting a building’s energy systems, but had originally not included faith-based or other non-profit groups in the program. The Orthodox Union was one of the groups who convinced the drafters of the bill — Reps. Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) and Ed Markey (D-Mass.) — to make them eligible for the subsidy.

"From new heating and air conditioning systems to lighting and windows, this legislation will assist our communal institutions to save costs, reduce energy use, and aid the environment," said Orthodox Union director of public policy Nathan Diament. "All of this has been proposed and passed in a way completely consistent with Constitutional principles." The full release is after the jump:[[READMORE]]

OU Congratulates House on Passage of Historic Climate Change Legislation; Applauds Appropriate Inclusion of Faith-Based Properties in Retrofit Subsidies

Today, the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America congratulated the leadership of the U.S. House of Representatives for passing the American Clean Energy and Security Act (HR 2454), a multi-billion set of spending and regulatory programs to reduce energy costs, create jobs, and aid the environment, and applauded the inclusion of faith-based properties in the Act’s building retrofit program designed to provide subsidies of up to 50% of the cost of retrofitting a building’s energy systems – with funding dependent on the level of demonstrated energy use reduction.

The Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America is pleased that based on our discussions with Chairman Waxman, Subcommittee Chairman Markey and other key offices, the legislation includes faith-based and other non-profits in this retrofit program.

In March, the Committee released a discussion draft of the legislation providing energy retrofits for residential and commercial buildings while neglecting non-profits. The Orthodox Union – with the support of key partners from the non-profit sector – brought this omission to the attention of the Energy Committee citing the nearly half a million houses of worship and specific cases within the Orthodox community that could benefit from this program.

Thanks to our efforts with coalition partners in the faith-based community, the bill’s drafters agreed that amending the language would expand the goals of this program by allowing full participation. While many non-profits will still face a cost hurdle with only a 50% subsidy, this new language begins to addresses the concerns of the Orthodox Union and our partners in a very clear way.

Nathan Diament, director of public policy for the Orthodox Union stated:

We are very pleased that the House of Representatives, with Chairman Waxman’s leadership, chose to address the concerns of the Orthodox Union and our coalition partners. If finally enacted, this legislation will provide needed resources to implement energy improvements in our synagogues and schools.

From new heating and air conditioning systems to lighting and windows, this legislation will assist our communal institutions to save costs, reduce energy use, and aid the environment.
All of this has been proposed and passed in a way completely consistent with Constitutional principles.  As the legislation moves to the Senate we will continue to advocate for our community to enhance the program’s level of support for non-profits.