For Immediate Release Contact: Corinne Russell (202) 649-3032
June 15, 2012 Stefanie Johnson (202) 649-3030
FHFA Proposes Rule for PACE Programs
Washington, DC –As required by a preliminary injunction issued by the Northern District
Court of California, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) has sent to the Federal
Register for publication and public comment a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPR)
concerning certain state and local energy retrofit financing arrangements also known as
Property Assessed Clean Energy or PACE. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit has
stayed any obligation required by the preliminary injunction for FHFA to publish a final rule.
FHFA, as conservator, has directed Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac not to purchase any mortgage
where PACE financing with a priority lien was placed on the underlying property. Such
financing moves ahead of the pre-existing first mortgage in lien priority, and thereby
subordinates Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac security interests in the property. FHFA took this
action based on its determination that PACE financing arrangements present a safety and
soundness concern by transferring financial risks to the regulated entities and lacking inadequate consumer protections and standards for energy retrofitting.
The NPR seeks comments on FHFA’s proposed rule as well as on potential alternatives. The
comment period is 45 days from the June 15, 2012 date of publication. FHFA welcomes
comments on all aspects of the NPR.
Link to Rule as Proposed in the Federal Register
###
The Federal Housing Finance Agency regulates Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and the 12 Federal Home Loan Banks.
These government-sponsored enterprises provide more than $5.7 trillion in funding for the U.S. mortgage markets
and financial institutions.