Regardless of where you stand on energy use, climate change, alternative energy, or similar matters, the cap and trade bill that squeaked by in the House is set to ruin our livelihoods if it passes the Senate. It must be stopped.

There are provisions in this behemoth bill (over 1,300 pages, looking more like an almanac than a piece of sensible legislation) that apply to Freddie and Fannie and create green banking centers that undoubtedly will impact our businesses.

But here's three to chew on:

(1) federalization of the residential building codes, based on conformance to those currently in place in California - regardless of regional differences, consumer preferences, and States' rights;

(2) all new buildings must have electrical capabilities to allow for electric cars to to be recharged;

(3) before any home in America can be sold or resold, a federal inspection must be conducted on the energy efficiency of that home (including doors, windows, etc.) and a federal rating assigned to it - not sure who pays for this, but presumably it's the seller.

There are so many more onerous provisions to this bill. It must be stopped. It only passed the House 219-212, with 8 Republicans voting for it (the difference in passage right there). It faces opposition in the Senate, but that's not good enough. We must all voice our disapproval - if just for the 3 reasons I mentioned above.

The real estate business as we know it is at risk.

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For more information on my coaching and educational programs and services, visit my website stevehoffacker.com or go to my other blog homesalesinsights.com for additional sales tips, insights, and commentary. You can also listen to my free podcast messages at Steve Hoffacker's Happenings.

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