By Mr. Pedone of Worcester, petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3353) of Vincent A. Pedone that the Division of Energy Resources be required to establish a home energy rating system program for owners of certain property .  Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy.

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PETITION OF:

Vincent A. Pedone

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In the Year Two Thousand and Seven.

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An Act establishing a home energy rating system.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:

SECTION 1. Section 11 of Chapter 25B of the General Laws, is hereby amended by adding a new section, Section 11A:—
Section 11A. The commissioner of the division of energy resources shall establish a voluntary home energy rating system program enabling the owner of residential property to obtain a rating of the property based on its energy consumption characteristics. The potential buyer of residential property may, with the seller’s permission, obtain an energy rating of the property and an estimate of the cost of home improvements necessary to make property energy-efficient if it is not already energy-efficient. The commissioner shall encourage lending institutions to offer more favorable mortgage provisions for the prospective buyers of homes whose ratings under this program reflect significant energy efficiency. The commissioner shall also encourage lending institutions to include in their mortgages, the costs of home improvements that would increase energy efficiency. The commissioner shall coordinate this program with existing federal and state residential energy conservation programs. The commissioner shall encourage the participation of lending institutions, real estate brokers and developers, municipal light departments and utilities, to promote the home energy rating system program. The commissioner shall also promulgate rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this section.