(1) In general Not later than 180 days after July 30, 2008, the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, in conjunction with the Secretary of Energy and the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, shall consult with the residential mortgage industry and States to develop recommendations to eliminate the barriers that exist to increasing the availability, use, and purchase of energy efficient mortgages, including such barriers as
(A) the lack of reliable and accessible information on such mortgages, including estimated energy savings and other benefits of energy efficient housing;
(B) the confusion regarding underwriting requirements and differences among various energy efficient mortgage programs;
(C) the complex and time consuming process of securing such mortgages;
(D) the lack of publicly available research on the default risk of such mortgages; and
(E) the availability of certified or accredited home energy rating services.
(2) Report to Congress The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall submit a report to Congress that
(A) summarizes the recommendations developed under paragraph (1); and
(B) includes any recommendations for statutory, regulatory, or administrative changes that the Secretary deems necessary to institute such recommendations.