Voters should care about this bill because it aims to reduce household energy costs, especially for those living in hotter climates and facing economic challenges. By making it more affordable for eligible households to install cool roofs, the bill could lead to lower air conditioning usage, which means lower electricity bills and less strain on the power grid during peak demand. This could also help reduce indoor heat exposure, improving comfort and health, particularly for vulnerable populations.
If this bill becomes law, it would provide direct financial relief to eligible families and potentially contribute to broader energy conservation and climate resilience efforts by reducing the 'urban heat island' effect in communities. If it doesn't pass, these households would miss out on a direct financial incentive to upgrade their roofs, potentially continuing to face higher energy bills and less comfortable living conditions, especially as temperatures rise.
KEY PROVISIONS
5AI-extracted
PROVISION 01
Establishes a rebate program for the purchase and installation of eligible cool roof products.
This creates a direct financial incentive for homeowners to upgrade to energy-efficient roofing.
PROVISION 02
Specifies that eligible households must meet income and location criteria (less than 200% median income and in high heat/health index areas).
This targets the program's benefits to lower-income households in areas most impacted by heat.
PROVISION 03
Sets rebate amounts per square foot based on the roof type (low-sloped or steep-sloped) and the cool roof product's performance.
This provides varying levels of financial support, rewarding more effective cool roof installations.
PROVISION 04
Authorizes $25,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030 for the program and $600,000 for a Cool Roof Calculator update.
This provides the necessary funding to implement the rebate program and support tools for its effective use.
PROVISION 05
Sets a termination date for the program on September 30, 2030, and requires a post-program report to Congress.
This ensures the program has a defined lifespan and its effectiveness will be reviewed.
Voters should care about this bill because it aims to reduce household energy costs, especially for those living in hotter climates and facing economic challenges. By making it more affordable for eligible households to install cool roofs, the bill could lead to lower air conditioning usage, which means lower electricity bills and less strain on the power grid during peak demand. This could also help reduce indoor heat exposure, improving comfort and health, particularly for vulnerable populations.
If this bill becomes law, it would provide direct financial relief to eligible families and potentially contribute to broader energy conservation and climate resilience efforts by reducing the 'urban heat island' effect in communities. If it doesn't pass, these households would miss out on a direct financial incentive to upgrade their roofs, potentially continuing to face higher energy bills and less comfortable living conditions, especially as temperatures rise.
KEY PROVISIONS
AI-extracted
high
Establishes a rebate program for the purchase and installation of eligible cool roof products.
This creates a direct financial incentive for homeowners to upgrade to energy-efficient roofing.
high
Specifies that eligible households must meet income and location criteria (less than 200% median income and in high heat/health index areas).
This targets the program's benefits to lower-income households in areas most impacted by heat.
med
Sets rebate amounts per square foot based on the roof type (low-sloped or steep-sloped) and the cool roof product's performance.
This provides varying levels of financial support, rewarding more effective cool roof installations.
high
Authorizes $25,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030 for the program and $600,000 for a Cool Roof Calculator update.
This provides the necessary funding to implement the rebate program and support tools for its effective use.
med
Sets a termination date for the program on September 30, 2030, and requires a post-program report to Congress.
This ensures the program has a defined lifespan and its effectiveness will be reviewed.
A roofing material designed to reflect more sunlight and absorb less heat than a standard roof, typically with a rating from the Cool Roof Rating Council.
Eligible household
A household with an annual income less than 200% of the median income for their ZIP Code, living in a single or multi-family building within a high-heat area as identified by the CDC's Heat and Health Index.
Solar Reflectance
The ability of a material to reflect solar energy (sunlight) from its surface, expressed as a ratio (e.g., 0.80 means 80% of sunlight is reflected).
Thermal Emittance
The ability of a material to release absorbed heat back into the atmosphere, expressed as a ratio (e.g., 0.75 means 75% of absorbed heat is re-emitted).
Solar Reflectance Index (SRI)
A single number that combines both solar reflectance and thermal emittance to measure a surface's ability to reject solar heat, where higher numbers indicate better performance.
3-year aged
Refers to the performance of a cool roof product's solar reflectance or thermal emittance after it has been exposed to real-world weather conditions for three years, or simulated conditions that mimic three years of exposure.
ACTION TIMELINE
2 EVENTS
APR 7, 25
Introduced in House
INTROREFERRAL
APR 7, 25
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
