A call to Action from the National Trust for Historic Preservation

CONGRESS TO VOTE ON GROUNDBREAKING INCENTIVE

Support Historic Preservation:
Tell Your Representative to Pass the American Clean Energy and Security Act

The House of Representatives is scheduled to vote on the American Clean Energy and Security Act this Friday. We need your help to ensure its passage because it includes -- for the first time ever -- incentives for building owners to make their homes and properties more energy efficient while respecting their historic character.

New legislation encourages energy upgrades for historic and older homes with financial incentives that have NOT been offered before. Support this bill!

Currently, homeowners can only get a tax credit for buying new products to weatherize their homes; the credit only applies to NEW materials like replacement windows. If, however, you hire someone to fix your existing windows, often a viable and more sustainable choice, the tax credit doesn’t apply. We think that’s wrong. Take action to change that today.

This bill includes the Retrofit for Energy and Environmental Performance Program (REEP), which would provide financial incentives in the form of state block grants to help owners of homes and businesses save money on energy upgrades, including weatherization or window repair. And, it would provide additional incentives for owners of older and historic properties to make these upgrades in keeping with the historic character of our homes, buildings, and neighborhoods.

Our effort to support this critical legislation is a key element in our ongoing work with Congress to address the needs of owners of older and historic homes. Homes represent the single largest group of historic structures in our towns and cities.

The Retrofit for Energy and Environmental Performance Program will provide $2.5 billion to communities throughout the country to help owners of older and historic homes renovate and weatherize their homes.

By taking action today, you join us in the first step to providing tangible help to those on the front lines of preservation -- owners of historic homes and buildings -- and educate Americans that in many cases the “greenest” building is one that has already been built.

Click here to tell your representative to support the American Clean Energy and Security Act.