### §8232. Residential energy efficiency standards study

#### (a) General authority

The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (hereinafter in this section referred to as the "Secretary") shall, in coordination with the Secretary of Agriculture, the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, the Secretary of Energy, and such other representatives of Federal, State, and local governments as the Secretary shall designate, conduct a study, utilizing the services of the National Institute of Building Sciences pursuant to appropriate contractual arrangements, for the purpose of determining the need for, the feasibility of, and the problems of requiring, by mandatory Federal action, that all residential dwelling units meet applicable energy efficient standards. The subjects to be examined shall include, but not be limited to, mandatory notification to purchasers, and policies to prohibit exchange or sale, of properties which do not conform to such standards.

#### (b) Specific factors

In conducting such study, the Secretary shall consider at least the following factors—

(1) the extent to which such requirement would protect a prospective purchaser from the uncertainty of not knowing the energy efficiency of the property he proposes to purchase;

(2) the extent to which such requirement would contribute to the Nation's energy conservation goals;

(3) the extent to which such a requirement would affect the real estate, home building, and mortgage banking industries;

(4) the sanctions which might be necessary to make such a requirement effective and the administrative impediments there might be to enforcement of such sanctions;

(5) the possible impact on sellers and purchasers as a result of the implementation of mandatory Federal actions, taking into account the experience of the Federal Government in imposing mandatory requirements concerning the purchase and sale of real property as occurred under the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act of 1974 [12 U.S.C. 2601 et seq.] and the Federal Disaster Protection Act of 1973;

(6) an analysis of the effect of such a requirement on the economy as a whole and on the Nation's security as compared to the impact on the credit and housing markets caused by such a requirement;

(7) the effect of such a requirement on availability of credit in the housing industry;

(8) the extent to which the imposition of mandatory Federal requirements would temporarily reduce the number of residential dwellings available for sale and the resulting effect of such mandatory actions on the price of those remaining dwelling units eligible for sale; and

(9) the possible uncertainty, during the period of developing the standards, as to what standards might be imposed and any resulting effect on major housing rehabilitation efforts and voluntary efforts for energy conservation.

#### (c) Comments and findings by Secretary of Energy

The Secretary shall incorporate into such study comments by the Secretary of Energy on the effects on the economy as a whole and on the Nation's security which may result from the requirement described in subsection (a) as compared to the impact on the credit and housing markets likely to be caused by such a requirement. In addition, the Secretary shall incorporate into such study the following findings by the Secretary of Energy:

(1) the savings in energy costs resulting from the requirement described in subsection (a) throughout the estimated remaining useful life of the existing residential buildings to which such requirement would apply; and

(2) the total cost per barrel of oil equivalent, in obtaining the energy savings likely to result from such requirement, computed for each class of existing residential buildings to which such requirement would apply.

#### (d) Report date

The Secretary shall report, no later than one year after November 9, 1978, to both Houses of the Congress with regard to the findings made as a result of such study along with any recommendations for legislative proposals which the Secretary determines should be enacted with respect to the subject of such study.

(Pub. L. 95–619, title II, §253, Nov. 9, 1978, 92 Stat. 3236; Pub. L. 102–54, §13(q)(12), June 13, 1991, 105 Stat. 281.)

#### **Editorial Notes**

#### References in Text

The Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act of 1974, referred to in subsec. (b)(5), is Pub. L. 93–533, Dec. 22, 1974, 88 Stat. 1724, which is classified principally to chapter 27 (§2601 et seq.) of Title 12, Banks and Banking. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 2601 of Title 12 and Tables.

The Federal Disaster Protection Act of 1973, referred to in subsec. (b)(5), probably means the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973, Pub. L. 93–234, Dec. 31, 1973, 87 Stat. 975, which enacted sections 4002, 4003, 4012a, 4104 to 4107, and 4128 of this title, amended sections 4001, 4013 to 4016, 4026, 4054, 4056, 4101, and 4121 of this title and sections 24 and 1709–1 of Title 12, repealed section 4021 of this title, and enacted a provision set out as a note under section 4001 of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title of 1973 Amendment note set out under section 4001 of this title and Tables.

#### Amendments

1991—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 102–54 substituted "Secretary of Veterans Affairs" for "Administrator of Veterans' Affairs".