Supporters Fight to Keep PACE on the Legislative Agenda

On Tuesday, July 27th, ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability (ICLEI) presented a webinar on the direction, key strategies, and legislative developments of Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) Financing , with insight provided by policy experts such as the Alliance to Save Energy’s Director of Government Relations, Brad Penney.

Brad discussed the multiple aspects of the program as well as how communities who have their own PACE programs are affected by the Federal Housing Agency (FHFA)’s urge for a freeze in PACE implementation.

Although negotiation efforts are taking place on Capitol Hill, supporters believe that PACE may fall off the radar unless outreach to the Administration continues.   Some communities are taking matters into their own hands, such as Sonoma County in California, who has filed suit against Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to continue its PACE program.

Bills to override the objections made by Fannie Mac, Freddie Mae, and FHFA have already begun to develop. One example is the PACE Assessment Protection act (H.R. 5766) introduced by Rep. Mike Thompson (D-Calif.),  which has more than 40 cosponsors since its debut on July 15th.

Watch the archived webinar on ICLEI’s website to learn more about the current status of PACE!