Potentially historic energy legislation passed in the House to limit greenhouse gas emissions and address other issues of environmental sustainability also includes a specific provision allowing religious organizations to receive taxpayer subsidies to retrofit buildings. The Jewish Orthodox Union touts the addition.
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… 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."
Bill HR 2454 is headed to the Senate.
