John Engler, president of the National Association of Manufacturers, testified Thursday before the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee Subcommittee on Energy and Environment hearing, “HomeStar: Job Creation Through Home Energy Retrofits.” From his testimony (available here):

Along with recoveries in other parts of the domestic economy as well as the global economy, a sustainable upturn in the housing sector will be a key ingredient for getting manufacturing back on track, expanding production and creating high-paying jobs. In fact, NAM estimates that if a healthy rebound in housing takes place over the next few years (2010-2013), it likely will create 128,000 manufacturing jobs in the industries connected to this sector.

As currently drafted, the HomeStar proposal would spur consumer demand for the purchase and installation of energy-efficient products and building materials by providing significant and immediate rebates for home energy-efficiency retrofits. In addition to promoting residential energy efficiency, the program will quickly create jobs in the manufacturing, distribution and sale of energy-efficient products.

Larry Laseter, president of the Masco Corporation subsidiary WellHome, testified (statement here), and the company sent out a news release beforehand.

“The HOME STAR program will get our nation’s skilled construction force working again, benefit homeowners coast to coast and from all socio-economic backgrounds through comfort and energy efficiency improvements to their homes, and result in long-term energy and environmental gains. We urge Congress to expedite approval of this program so that Americans can get back to work.

Also on the panel was Mike Thaman, chairman and CEO of Owens Corning. His testimony is here. Earlier this month, reacting to comments by President Obama, Owens Corning issued a news release in support of the HomeStar program, “Owens Corning Supports President Obama’s HOMESTAR Program to Create U.S. Jobs and Improve Energy Efficiency in America’s Homes,” in which Thaman commented:

The current condition of the U.S. housing market provides a unique opportunity to take advantage of available product and skilled worker capacity to get this done. We will work to support the President’s HOMESTAR initiative and its many benefits.

The Burlington (Vt.) Free Press covered the hearing, “Welch’s energy efficiency program faces GOP skepticism.”

John Engler, president of the National Association of Manufacturers, will testify this morning, 10 a.m., at a House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Energy and Environment hearing, “HomeStar: Job Creation Through Home Energy Retrofits.”

The Subcommittee on Energy and Environment will hold a hearing entitled “HomeStar: Job Creation Through Home Energy Retrofits” on Thursday, March 18, 2010, in 2123 Rayburn House Office Building. This hearing will examine proposed legislation to incentivize home energy retrofits and increase employment in the construction and related sectors.

INVITED WITNESSES:

•The Honorable Cathy Zoi, Assistant Secretary, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Department of Energy
•Larry Laseter, President, Masco Home Services
•The Honorable John Engler, President and Chief Executive Officer, National Association of Manufacturers
•Michael Thaman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Owens Corning
•Christopher A.S. Pratt, Vice President, Construction and Development Services, LLC

The NAM Vice President Dorothy Coleman issued a statement on the HomeStar program on March 3.

Manufacturers are encouraged by President Obama’s comments yesterday on the Home Star Program and its potential to create jobs at a crucial time in our country. We believe this is a step in the right direction. At the same time, we think there is room for improving the proposal in ways that would result in the creation of even more manufacturing, construction and retail jobs.

We look forward to working with the Administration and Congress to advance this important program.