In an effort to help stimulate the manufacturing base and cut down on energy consumption, Ohio Democrat congressman Zack Space demanded that the Senate not remove a provision from the American Recover…
In an effort to help stimulate the manufacturing base and cut down on energy consumption, Ohio Democrat congressman Zack Space demanded that the Senate not remove a provision from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act that provides funding for attic insulation in homes owned by low-income families. The Owens Corning facility at Newark in representative Space“s Ohio congressional district manufactures insulation products that are eligible under this program. “This provision accomplishes two goals in one – supporting local industry and cutting energy consumption”, representative Space said. “Home heating costs are not going to go down, so we must work to make our homes more efficient”. “Our area will also directly benefit through increased demand for insulation, a product produced right here in the 18th Congressional District. This is a win-win for us all”, representative Space continued. The bill, which passed the House in the last week of January 2009, contains USD 6 billion to increase the eligibility for families to participate in the program from 150% of the federal poverty line to 200%. It also increases the per-family cap from USD 2,500 to USD 5,000. John Libonati, the vice president of Government and Public Affairs at Owens Corning said, “We are appreciative of Congressman Space“s efforts to accelerate economic recovery by championing the cause of creating jobs in Licking county, and doing so in a manner that recognizes the value of energy efficiency”.