Stand up for the facts!

Our only agenda is to publish the truth so you can be an informed participant in democracy.
We need your help.

More Info

I would like to contribute

$

Another chain e-mail, another Pants on Fire

By Catharine Richert
November 23, 2009

In the past few months, we’ve gotten many variations of a chain e-mail that claims the cap-and-trade bill making its way through Congress would put strict requirements on home energy efficiency — so much, in fact, that it could deter people from selling their homes.  

According to the e-mail, “Beginning 1 year after enactment of the Cap and Trade Act, you won’t be able to sell your home unless you retrofit it to comply with the energy and water efficiency standards of this Act. H.R. 2454, the ‘Cap & Trade’ bill passed by the House of Representatives.”

“A year from now you won’t be able to sell your house,” the e-mail goes on. “Yes, you read that right. The caveat is (there always is a caveat) that if you have enough money to make required major upgrades to your home, then you can sell it. But, if not, then forget it.”

 

We checked it out and — surprise! — found the e-mail

didn’t get the facts right

Our Sources

See Truth-O-Meter item.

Browse the Truth-O-Meter

More by Catharine Richert
Katrina vanden Heuvel
stated on May 2, 2010 a roundtable discussion on ABC's 'This Week'
"At the moment, energy companies spend 0.25 percent on R&D."
True
Arlen Specter
stated on April 21, 2010 an interview on MSNBC's Daily Rundown
 "Congress can tell [the Supreme Court] which cases they ought to hear. We have that authority."
True
Stephen Colbert
stated on April 12, 2010 an interview on Comedy Central's "The Colbert Report"
John Paul Stevens is the only Protestant on the U.S. Supreme Court.
True
Barack Obama
stated on March 31, 2010 an announcement at Andrews Air Force Base
On oil drilling
No Flip
Lindsey Graham
stated on March 24, 2010 an appearance on the Fox News show "On the Record" with Greta Van Susteren
"The average student will be spending $1,700 to $1,800 more during the life of their loan because of this surcharge."
False

Crist touts Cover Florida as cost-saving health care for Floridians

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
stated on January 7, 2026 a press briefing

stated on January 14, 2026 a statement

Social Media
stated on February 14, 2026 social media posts



stated on January 20, 2026 an op-ed


Donald Trump
stated on February 3, 2026 remarks in the Oval Office


Social Media
stated on February 8, 2026 social media posts





Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
stated on stated on November 17, 2025 in remarks at George Washington University:

Donald Trump
stated on February 2, 2026 an interview with Dan Bongino