50-60-801. Statement of policy on residential energy efficiency. The legislature finds that the people of Montana have an interest in energy efficiency in certain residential buildings for the purpose of protecting and improving their economic and environmental well-being and energy security, while recognizing the basic need for safe and affordable shelter. It is the policy of the state of Montana to encourage energy efficiency in residential buildings through strategies that ensure that:

(1) the housing consumer has access to the information required to make informed choices about structures and energy efficiency measures;

(2) energy efficiency measures are safe, reliable, and readily available for use in Montana;

(3) investments in energy efficiency measures are cost-effective;

(4) the cost of energy efficiency measures on the combination of down payments, monthly mortgage payments, and monthly utility bills does not adversely affect the affordability of housing to prospective home buyers and renters; and

(5) energy efficiency measures do not place an undue or inequitable burden on residential building owners or renters, the residential construction industry, financial institutions, real estate salespersons and appraisers, energy providers, or state and local governments.