Now the cynics have fresh allies-from Obama’s own executive branch of the government.
One of the administration’s early ‘‘green’’ initiatives was Property Assessed Clean Energy. The PACE program can provide loans for homeowners to reduce reliance on fossil fuels through improvements such as installation of solar panels. Loans are repaid through surcharges on local property tax bills, requiring the cooperation of local governments.
But if a PACE home is sold, the obligation to repay the loan stays with it and thus, the new owner.
PACE loan repayment uses a ‘‘first lien’’ on property-meaning that if a bank has to foreclose on it, the PACE obligation must be satisfied before the lender can recover any of its money.
Needless to say, lenders don’t like that idea. According to The Washington Post, the Energy Department now says federal financial regulators may not approve of such an arrangement.
In other words, PACE, a federal program, doesn’t comply with federal regulations.
That is just one more reason for cynicism regarding Obama’s ‘‘green’’ initiative.






