Texas – Along with officials from the states of Alabama, Arkansas, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Tennessee, and West Virginia, South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson has strongly opposed new federal energy efficiency rules in a major legal fight influencing the direction of homeownership in America. Especially for low-income and first-time homebuyers, Wilson warns that these rules might have disastrous consequences for affordable housing.
The recently adopted criteria in the focus
The dispute arises out of recently adopted criteria meant to encourage energy efficiency in new house construction by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
These criteria have been criticized, meanwhile, for being financially unworkable. In response, Wilson has joined forces with a coalition of 15 states and the National Association of Home Builders to challenge these regulations in court.
The coalition’s case relies mostly on its belief that the “misguided energy mandates” of the federal government constitute an overreach that negatively impacts regular Americans by raising the cost of new houses.
“By imposing unnecessary costs, these policies put the dream of homeownership out of reach for too many families, particularly those who are already struggling,” Wilson stated. “South Carolina stands with our coalition to fight back against these burdensome regulations and protect affordable housing for all.”
Prospective homeowners will have to pay about $30,000 per house more
Filings suggest that the additional expenses could be as high as $31,000 per new house, much above the stated projections of up to $8,345…