Last week, Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03) introduced the Lowering Energy Costs for Manufactured Homeowners Act. The legislation will help lower energy costs for residents of manufactured homes by implementing a tax credit for installing or updating energy-saving skirting.

Skirting is attached to the side of manufactured homes and provides insulation from the elements, preventing the loss of heated or cooled air from the home and keeping out small animals that can significantly damage insulation. In Washington state, new manufactured homes are required to have skirting around their entire perimeter.

The legislation will provide a refundable tax credit, equal to 20 percent of the expenses paid for skirting, up to $500. To qualify, taxpayers must be the primary resident of the home and maintain an income below $150,000, or $300,000 for a joint tax return.

“For hardworking families across Southwest Washington who live in manufactured homes, a lack of skirting doesn’t just result in a loss of heating and cooling – it results in a loss of wealth,” said Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez. “This legislation will put energy-saving improvements within reach for residents of manufactured homes, to lower long-term costs and ensure hard-earned dollars spent on heating and cooling have the greatest impact.”

Full text of the bill is available here.