Commissioner Diaz sponsors legislation to encourage energy efficient homes

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY – The Miami-Dade County Commission on Jan. 20 gave initial approval to legislation sponsored by Commissioner Jose “Pepe” Diaz to make the Property Assessment Clean Energy (PACE) program available to property owners in unincorporated Miami-Dade County.

PACE is a voluntary program available in many cities across the nation that provides municipal government financing to participating homeowners for energy efficiency upgrades or renewable energy installations such as solar panels and improved insulation. Homeowners are then assessed annually through their property tax bills for the improvements.

“This program will encourage homeowners in unincorporated Miami-Dade to make their homes more energy-efficient, which will help the environment while reducing our nation’s dependency on foreign oil,” Commissioner Diaz said.

Incorporated areas also could take advantage of the PACE program through interlocal agreements with the County, Commissioner Diaz said.