Texas House Bill HB1533

Texas 2021 - 87th Regular

Caption

Relating to the creation of an energy efficiency loan guarantee program under the Texas emissions reduction plan.

Impact

The bill will amend the Health and Safety Code to include provisions for the energy efficiency loan guarantee program. This program will set criteria for loan eligibility based on emissions reduction effectiveness and will generate annual reports to assess program impact in terms of energy savings and emissions reductions. By introducing this program, HB1533 aligns state policies with environmental goals, potentially leading to significant improvements in energy usage in existing housing across Texas.

Summary

House Bill 1533 seeks to establish an energy efficiency loan guarantee program under the Texas emissions reduction plan. This initiative will allow the comptroller and the State Energy Conservation Office to issue or guarantee loans specifically for improvements that enhance the energy efficiency of existing residences. The bill aims to promote energy efficiency upgrades across older homes that do not fall under new construction regulations, thereby supporting the broader goals of reducing emissions within the state.

Contention

One notable point of contention surrounding HB1533 lies in its financing and the allocation of funds for the program. The legislation outlines that a minimum of $1 million and a maximum of $5 million should be allocated for the energy efficiency loan guarantee program, which raises questions about the sufficiency of this funding in meeting the demands of the program. Additionally, as with many environmental regulations, there may be debates regarding the impact on property owners and construction industries that may feel the financial strain of compliance with such initiatives.