Rep. Mark Alford, U.S. Representative for Missouri's 4th District | Ballotpedia
Rep. Mark Alford, U.S. Representative for Missouri's 4th District | Ballotpedia
Congressmen Mark Alford and Tracey Mann have formally requested an extension from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) regarding compliance deadlines for federal energy code mandates. These mandates, they argue, could exacerbate the current housing affordability crisis.
"This Biden era energy mandate is yet another example of federal overreach that hurt hardworking Americans in the housing market," Congressman Alford stated. He emphasized that extending these deadlines is crucial to maintaining a focus on accessible and affordable housing rather than imposing burdensome regulations.
Congressman Mann highlighted concerns stemming from recent studies showing that 53% of Americans feel homeownership is out of reach due to rising costs associated with President Biden's policies. "By extending the compliance deadline, USDA has more time to assess the impact and consequences of these costly regulations," he said.
The congressmen's letter addresses Secretary Brooke Rollins directly, expressing concerns about USDA's April 2024 determination requiring new constructions financed by the agency to adhere to stringent energy codes like the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC). They suggest pushing back current deadlines set for May and November 2025 for multifamily and single-family constructions respectively.
The letter references case studies indicating minimal energy savings under the new codes compared to significant financial burdens on homeowners. In one instance cited, a Kansas City builder found only $125 in annual energy savings against an increased mortgage cost of $1,224 per year when building according to the 2021 IECC standards.
The congressmen concluded their appeal by urging USDA to extend compliance deadlines for further review and stakeholder engagement concerning economic impacts on buyers and renters.
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