(2) the availability of rebates for the installa-
tion of qualifying energy savings measures under the 
Silver Star Home Energy Retrofit Program and for 
whole home energy savings under the Gold Star 
Home Energy Retrofit Program. 
SEC. 11. PENALTIES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary may— 
(1) assess and compromise a civil penalty 
against a person who violates this Act (or any regu-
lation issued under this Act); and 
(2) require from any entity the records and in-
spections necessary to enforce this Act. 
(b) CIVIL PENALTY.—A civil penalty assessed under 
subsection (a) shall be in an amount not greater than the 
higher of— 
(1) $15,000 for each violation; or 
(2) 3 times the value of any associated rebate 
under this Act. 
SEC. 12. HOME STAR ENERGY EFFICIENCY LOAN PROGRAM. 
(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) ELIGIBLE PARTICIPANT.—The term ‘‘eligi-
ble participant’’ means a homeowner who receives fi-
nancial assistance from a qualified financing entity 
to carry out qualifying energy savings measures 
under the Silver Star Home Energy Retrofit Pro-
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gram or whole home energy savings under the Gold 
Star Home Energy Retrofit Program. 
(2) QUALIFIED FINANCING ENTITY.—The term 
‘‘qualified financing entity’’ means a State, political 
subdivision of a State, tribal government, electric 
utility, natural gas utility, nonprofit or community- 
based organization, energy service company, retailer, 
or any other entity that— 
(A) meets the eligibility requirements of 
this section; and 
(B) is designated by the Governor of a 
State in accordance with subsection (e)(1). 
(3) QUALIFIED LOAN PROGRAM MECHANISM.— 
The term ‘‘qualified loan program mechanism’’ 
means a mechanism for the establishment and oper-
ation of a loan program that is— 
(A) administered by a qualified financing 
entity; and 
(B) principally funded— 
(i) by funds provided by or overseen 
by a State; or 
(ii) through the energy loan program 
of the Federal National Mortgage Associa-
tion. 
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(b) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary shall establish 
a Home Star Energy Efficiency Loan Program under 
which the Secretary shall make funds available to States 
to support financial assistance provided by qualified fi-
nancing entities for the installation of qualifying energy 
savings measures under the Silver Star Home Energy Ret-
rofit Program or whole home energy savings under the 
Gold Star Home Energy Retrofit Program. 
(c) ELIGIBILITY OF QUALIFIED FINANCING ENTI-
TIES.—To be eligible to participate in the Home Star 
Loan Program, a qualified financing entity shall— 
(1) offer a financing product under which eligi-
ble participants may pay over time for the cost to 
the eligible participant (after all applicable Federal, 
State, local, and other rebates or incentives are ap-
plied) of installations described in subsection (b); 
(2) require all financed installations to be per-
formed by contractors in a manner that meets min-
imum standards provided under sections 5 and 6; 
and 
(3) establish standard underwriting criteria to 
determine the eligibility of Home Star Loan Pro-
gram applicants, which criteria shall be consistent 
with— 
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