Rep. Richardville, Rick Johnson and Julian offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 43.

            A resolution to urge the United States Department of Energy to implement the proposed three-zone approach as the new national standard for windows under the Energy Star program.

            Whereas, In 1992, the federal Energy Star program began through a voluntary partnership among the United States Department of Energy (DOE), the United States Environmental Protection Agency, and more than 7,000 private sector and public sector organizations.  The primary objective of the partnership and the Energy Star label is to identify and promote cost-effective, energy-efficient products to reduce greenhouse gas emissions; and

            Whereas, From its inception in 1998, the Energy Star Window Program has successfully increased the use of energy-efficient residential windows.  From 1997 to 2002, the percentage of Energy Star labeled windows has risen from less than 5 percent to an estimated 35 percent of all residential window sales in America.  This is an important because Energy Star labeled windows are twice as efficient as the average windows manufactured just ten years ago; and

            Whereas, The Energy Star Window Program divides the United States into three zones.  In the northern zone, window standards stress better insulation in order to keep the heat in the home during the winter.  In the southern zone, window standards emphasize blocking solar heat to keep the cool air in the home.  In the central zone, window standards underscore both heating and cooling concerns.  On February 11, 2003, the DOE issued two alternative standards, one of which also uses three zones and the other four zones, for the Energy Star Window Program.  The DOE anticipates having a final standard in place by August 29, 2003; and

            Whereas, The three-zone alternative represents significant energy savings over both the current Energy Star program and the four-zone alternative.  This is a benefit to consumers, as the cost of electricity for cooling is often higher than the cost of natural gas and oil for heating.  This is particularly important during hot summer weather when peak energy demand often occurs.  By lowering peak load demand, the three-zone alternative would equal the equivalent of displacing one 115-Megawatt power plant each year in some areas of the country.  This three-zone alternative also benefits the environment because cooling energy tends to contribute more to air pollution.  In contrast, the four-zone alternative stresses  more on saving heating energy and does not reduce peak energy demand as much as the three-zone alternative; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we urge the United States Department of Energy to implement the proposed three-zone approach as the new national standard for windows under the Energy Star program; and be it further

            Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the United States Department of Energy, the United States Environmental Protection Agency, and the members of the Michigan congressional delegation.