[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 75 (Wednesday, June 2, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1004-E1005]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       2004 ENERGY STAR FOR HOMES--OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. MICHAEL C. BURGESS

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 2, 2004

  Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the following 
homebuilders from in or around my congressional district for their 
recent recognition as Oncor 2004 ENERGY STAR for Homes--Outstanding 
Achievement Award: Ashton Woods Homes; Beazer Homes of Dallas; Buescher 
Homes; Coleman Homes; D.R. Horton; David Weekly Homes; Highland Homes, 
LTD; History Maker Homes; KB Homes; Landstar Homes; Legacy Homes; 
Lennar Homes; Mercedes Homes; MHI; Morrison Homes, Oak Creek Homes, 
Optima Homes, Paul Taylor Homes, and Ryland Homes.
  Forty-six builders participated in the 2003 Oncor ENERGY STAR Homes 
program. Each of the Award recipients registered with the EPA and 
constructed at least 50 ENERGY STAR homes in 2003. Collectively, 
winners built 11,505 ENERGY STAR qualified homes.
  The ENERGY STAR program is a government industry partnership for 
promoting energy efficient products. ENERGY STAR eligible homes use 
considerably less energy than standard homes. Because of lower energy 
usage, ENERGY STAR homes save homeowners money because they cost less 
to heat and cool. In addition, they help to reduce air pollution--a 
particular concern in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. Nationwide almost 20 
percent of air pollution results from energy used in homes. Just one 
ENERGY STAR home can

[[Page E1005]]

reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 4,500 lbs per year.
  Energy efficiency is an important part of a balanced energy policy. 
That is why President George W. Bush and the U.S. House of 
Representatives included a provision in H.R. 6, The Energy Policy Act 
of 2003, which would expand the ENERGY STAR program.
  The homebuilders who participate in the ENERGY STAR program recognize 
the importance of energy conservation. Once again, I would like to 
thank these 21 North Texas homebuilders for their commitment to 
constructing ENERGY STAR qualified homes.

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