Cool Roof Rebate Act of 2025

Bill Number

H.R. 2679

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Energy

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-04-07: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Last Updated

2025-05-02T13:12:57Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The Cool Roof Rebate Act of 2025 aims to reduce heat absorption in buildings and lower energy use for cooling by incentivizing the installation of "cool roof" products—roofing materials designed to reflect more sunlight and emit more heat. It directs the Secretary of Energy to create a rebate program for eligible low-income households in areas prone to high heat.

Key Provisions

• Program Establishment: The Secretary of Energy must set up and run a rebate program for the purchase and installation of eligible cool roof products, which are roofing materials rated by the Cool Roof Rating Council (an organization that tests and certifies such products based on their ability to stay cool).
• Rebate Amounts: Rebates are calculated per square foot and vary by roof type and product performance:
• Low-sloped roofs (roofs with a gentle slope, like 2:12 or less, common on commercial buildings):
• $0.25 per square foot for products with a minimum 3-year aged solar reflectance (how much sunlight it bounces back after 3 years of exposure) of 0.80 and thermal emittance (how well it releases heat) of 0.75, or a Solar Reflectance Index (a combined measure of reflectance and emittance) of 99.
• $0.75 per square foot for higher-performing products with reflectance of 0.90 or an Index of 114.
• Steep-sloped roofs (roofs with a sharper slope, greater than 2:12, common on homes):
• $0.25 per square foot for asphalt shingles (a common roofing material made of asphalt-coated felt with granules) meeting basic standards, or non-shingle products with reflectance of 0.40 or Index of 43.
• $0.75 per square foot for better-performing shingles (reflectance of 0.40 or Index of 43) or non-shingles (reflectance of 0.60 or Index of 71).
• Performance is measured after 3 years of exposure (or lab-simulated exposure) using standards from the American National Standards Institute and Cool Roof Rating Council.
• Eligibility for Households: Limited to individuals or families in single-family or multi-family buildings who:
• Have total annual income below 200% of the median income for their ZIP code (as reported by the Department of Housing and Urban Development).
• Live in ZIP code areas in the 75th percentile or higher on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Heat and Health Index (a measure of heat-related health risks).
• For residents of the District of Columbia, Alaska, Hawaii, or U.S. territories (not yet covered by the Index), eligibility is based only on income and building type until those areas are added.
• Additional Rules:
• Households can combine these rebates with other grants or financial aid for the same project.
• The program ends on September 30, 2030.
• The Secretary must report to Congress within 6 months after termination, detailing for each participant: whether the rebate funded a new roof or retrofit of an old one, what old material was replaced (if applicable), and the specific cool roof product purchased.
• Funding: Authorizes $25 million annually for fiscal years 2026 through 2030 to run the program, plus $600,000 to update the "Cool Roof Calculator" (a tool developed by Oak Ridge and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratories to estimate energy savings from cool roofs).

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This bill introduces a new federal rebate program under the Department of Energy, with no explicit amendments to prior laws. It builds on existing standards from the Cool Roof Rating Council and CDC indices but creates a targeted incentive structure for cool roofs that did not previously exist at the federal level, focusing on low-income and high-heat areas.

Potential Impacts

• On Citizens: Eligible low-income households in hot regions could save on air conditioning costs and reduce indoor heat, improving health and comfort. It may encourage broader adoption of energy-efficient roofing, potentially lowering utility bills nationwide.
• On Government Agencies: The Department of Energy gains responsibility for program administration, eligibility verification, and reporting, requiring new administrative resources. Congress must appropriate the authorized funds to activate the program.
• On International Relations: No direct impacts; the bill is domestic-focused on U.S. energy efficiency and climate adaptation.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Eligible Households: Primarily low-income residents in high-heat urban or suburban areas, who benefit from rebates to afford cool roof installations.
• Department of Energy: Responsible for implementing, overseeing, and reporting on the program.
• Cool Roof Product Manufacturers and Installers: Gain market incentives through increased demand for certified products.
• Federal and Local Governments: Including the Department of Housing and Urban Development (for income data) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (for heat index data), which support eligibility determinations.
• Congress: Receives post-program reports to evaluate effectiveness.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Establishes clear, measurable criteria for rebates (e.g., performance standards and income thresholds) to ensure fair distribution, while allowing combination with other aid to avoid conflicts with existing programs. The program's fixed end date and reporting requirement promote accountability without indefinite spending.
• Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's power to authorize federal spending for energy efficiency (under the Commerce Clause), targeting public welfare through health and environmental benefits in high-risk areas.
• Political: Supports climate adaptation efforts by addressing urban heat islands (areas where buildings and pavement trap heat), potentially appealing across party lines as an affordable green initiative, though funding depends on bipartisan appropriations. No major controversies noted in the bill text.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Foushee, Valerie P. [D-NC-4]

Cosponsors (6)

Rep. Cleaver, Emanuel [D-MO-5], Rep. Ruiz, Raul [D-CA-25], Rep. Jayapal, Pramila [D-WA-7], Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13], Rep. Garcia, Sylvia R. [D-TX-29], Rep. Salinas, Andrea [D-OR-6]

Recent Actions

• 2025-04-07: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
• 2025-04-07: Introduced in House
• 2025-04-07: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Cool Roof Rebate Act of 2025 — issued 2025-04-07 — PDF (9 pages)