Michigan's Association of Home Builders continues to delay ruling on energy efficiency LANSING, Mich., Oct. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (MEEA) announced that once again energy efficiency is being blocked by the Michigan Association of Home Builders (MAHB) who recently appealed their case to the Supreme Court. After years of legal wrangling, the state of Michigan had been one step closer to a housing energy code that would save Michiganders money on their energy bills. In a recent decision issued by the Court of Appeals, the Court ruled that there are limited grounds upon which a court can set aside the energy code that would have gone into effect in February 2005. The publication of the housing code was halted at the eleventh hour when the Michigan Association of Home Builders filed suit in February 2005, despite an extensive rulemaking process that took more than two years. When the revised code was proposed in 2004, the MAHB, as did all citizens and stakeholders, had an opportunity to participate in the public process. They did not participate in the process at that time and after losing in the Appellate court, are now appealing to the Supreme Court. "We believe this is a stalling tactic by the Michigan Association of Home Builders to avoid moving forward with cost-effective energy efficiency measures," said Alecia Ward, President and CEO of the Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance, an intervening party to the case. "The stalled energy standard was determined to be cost-effective, saving homeowners almost $400 per year in 2004 dollars. We were pleased with the decision of the appellate court and hope that the Supreme Court declines further review." Due to the MAHB's legal maneuverings, Michigan's homeowners have suffered for years without a standard that ensures their new homes are comfortable, affordable places to live. Homes in Michigan are among the most energy-intensive in the Midwest, using more natural gas on average than homes in surrounding states. The energy efficiency rules MAHB is blocking would help protect Michigan homeowners against the ever-increasing cost of energy by requiring minimum energy efficiency standards to be met when new homes are built.
