---
kind: "section"
citation: "12 U.S.C. § 1701z–17"
title: "12"
title_heading: "Banks and Banking"
number: "1701z–17"
heading: "Increasing access and understanding of energy efficient mortgages"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/12/1701z-17"
units:
  - "Chapter 13 — National Housing"
---

# §1701z–17. Increasing access and understanding of energy efficient mortgages

- (a) **Definition—** As used in this section, the term “energy efficient [mortgage](/usc/12/1707.md?p=a)” has the same meaning as given that term in paragraph (24) of [section 12704 of title 42](/usc/42/12704.md).
- (b) **Recommendations to eliminate barriers to use of energy efficient mortgages—**
  - (1) **In general—** Not later than 180 days after July 30, 2008, the [Secretary](/usc/12/1715z–22a.md?p=4) of Housing and Urban Development, in conjunction with the [Secretary](/usc/12/1715z–22a.md?p=4) of Energy and the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, shall consult with the residential [mortgage](/usc/12/1707.md?p=a) industry and [States](/usc/12/1707.md?p=d) to develop recommendations to eliminate the barriers that exist to increasing the availability, use, and purchase of energy efficient [mortgages](/usc/12/1707.md?p=a), including such barriers as—
    - (A) the lack of reliable and accessible information on such [mortgages](/usc/12/1707.md?p=a), including estimated energy savings and other benefits of energy efficient housing;
    - (B) the confusion regarding underwriting requirements and differences among various energy efficient [mortgage](/usc/12/1707.md?p=a) programs;
    - (C) the complex and time consuming process of securing such [mortgages](/usc/12/1707.md?p=a);
    - (D) the lack of publicly available research on the default risk of such [mortgages](/usc/12/1707.md?p=a); and
    - (E) the availability of certified or accredited home energy rating services.
  - (2) **Report to Congress—** The [Secretary](/usc/12/1715z–22a.md?p=4) of Housing and Urban Development shall submit a report to Congress that—
    - (A) summarizes the recommendations developed under [paragraph (1)](#b-1); and
    - (B) includes any recommendations for statutory, regulatory, or administrative changes that the [Secretary](/usc/12/1715z–22a.md?p=4) deems necessary to institute such recommendations.
- (c) **Energy efficient mortgages outreach campaign—**
  - (1) **In general—** The [Secretary](/usc/12/1715z–22a.md?p=4) of Housing and Urban Development, in consultation and coordination with the [Secretary](/usc/12/1715z–22a.md?p=4) of Energy, the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, and [State](/usc/12/1707.md?p=d) Energy and Housing Finance [Directors](/usc/12/5481.md?p=10), shall carry out an education and outreach campaign to inform and educate [consumers](/usc/12/5481.md?p=4), home builders, residential lenders, and other [real estate](/usc/12/1707.md?p=g) professionals on the availability, benefits, and advantages of—
    - (A) improved energy efficiency in housing; and
    - (B) energy efficient [mortgages](/usc/12/1707.md?p=a).
  - (2) **Authorization of appropriations—** There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out the education and outreach campaign described under [paragraph (1)](#c-1).

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 110–289, div. B, title IX, § 2902, July 30, 2008, 122 Stat. 2876.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Codification

Section was enacted as part of the Foreclosure Prevention Act of 2008, and also as part of the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008, and not as part of the National Housing Act which comprises this chapter.