Homeowners

August 14, 2008 -- Washington, D.C.—The average person today is inundated with messages about saving energy. Unfortunately too many messages perpetuate long-standing myths, making it difficult to sort out good advice from bad. ACEEE has compiled a list of myth-busters to help separate energy savings fact from energy wasting fiction.

Compact flourescent lamp (CFL): Photo by Jayaprakash R (CC)

MYTHBUSTING FACT #1: Turning off lights, even for short periods of time, really saves energy, with little impact on the lifespan of the bulb. Turn off the lights even when you’re leaving a room for just a few minutes.    » read more »

August 12, 2008 -- West Virginia Attorney General Darrell McGraw filed suit today against Countrywide Financial Corporation, Countrywide Home Loans, Inc., Countrywide Home Loans Servicing, LP, Full Spectrum Lending, Inc. and Angelo R. Mozilo, individually and as CEO of Countrywide Financial Corporation.

Countrywide made loans to West Virginia consumers on terms that were unaffordable and unconscionable. These loans exposed consumers to foreclosure and loss of their homes. Countrywide also used unfair and deceptive acts or practices to make loans and service loans.

For example, Countrywide induced consumers to take out adjustable rate mortgages that offered a teaser rate for the first 2-5 years, but then reset at a much higher, unaffordable rate.    » read more »

BALTIMORE, MD (August 6, 2008) - Maryland Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler announced today that his Consumer Protection Division has reached a settlement with an Elkton, Maryland propane gas supplier over the company’s imposition of a “Government Agency Regulatory Compliance fee" ( “Government Compliance fees”). The company, Schagrin Gas Company, Inc., agreed to stop charging its customers fees unless they were previously disclosed in their service agreements. The company will also provide its existing customers with a credit for the Government Compliance fees that they were previously charged.    » read more »

Protection Center to Help Kentuckians in Danger of Losing Their Homes

August 11, 2008 -- OWENSBORO, Ky. – Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear today announced at a press conference in Owensboro the creation of the Kentucky Homeownership Protection Center to address the foreclosure crisis in the commonwealth. The Protection Center, created by the passage of HB 552 during the 2008 General Assembly, will help Kentuckians in financial trouble become more proactive in keeping their homes.    » read more »

Attorney General Urges Stronger Consumer Protections Amid Housing Crisis

August 5 , 2008 -- Chicago -- Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan weighed in Monday on a federal proposal that aims to reform some of the most abusive practices of the credit card industry. In commenting on the proposed federal rule issued by the Federal Reserve Board and two other federal banking agencies, Madigan expressed general support for the proposed reforms but urged the federal regulators to go further to protect consumers in light of the ongoing home foreclosure crisis and economic downturn.

“It is more important than ever that consumers be treated fairly and understand their credit card terms so that they can manage their finances accordingly,” Madigan said.    » read more »

Governor Says Surplus Should Be Set Aside Solely for Heating Help

August 13, 2008 -- Connecticut Governor M. Jodi Rell today called on the General Assembly to take swift action on her proposals to provide energy relief to Connecticut families this winter during the August 22 special session. The Governor also re-emphasized that the Legislature should direct the entire state budget surplus to heating assistance programs.    » read more »

PHILADELPHIA, June 23, 2008 -- To protect our nation’s water supply for future use, the Environmental Protection Agency is promoting and enhancing the market for water efficient products through the WaterSense program. The latest is a draft specification for water-efficient new single-family homes. The specification will create standards that new homes must meet to be certified and labeled as WaterSense homes.

“WaterSense is a common sense ethic of efficiency for protecting water, America’s most important liquid asset. WaterSense certified homes will help homeowners save water, money and energy, and communities will have an important new tool for sustainable growth and water efficiency,” said Donald S. Welsh, regional administrator for EPA’s mid-Atlantic region.    » read more »