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Coming soon: cash for appliances
Kathleen Pender
Sunday, August 30, 2009
In June, the Department of Energy said it is making
$300 million in stimulus-act money available to state energy offices to offer rebates on energy-efficient household appliances. California's share is $35.27 million.
Unlike the $3 billion clunkers program, which required an old car to be traded in, consumers do not have to turn in an old appliance to get a rebate on a new one.
Another difference: The clunkers program was consistent nationwide, but each state can decide which appliance categories will be eligible for rebates, how energy efficient they must be, the amount of the rebates, whether they can be combined with other rebates, how the money will be tracked, and how consumers and retailers will know when it is about to run out.
The California Energy Commission, which will receive the money in California, has made no decisions about any of these issues.
"We have until Oct. 15 to apply for the program. The federal government has until the end of November to disburse awards back to the state," says Amy Morgan, a spokeswoman for the commission. She says consumers can start getting rebates "later this fall or maybe early 2010." In the meantime, she says, consumers should investigate rebates offered by utilities.
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http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/articl...&type=business
Kathleen Pender
Sunday, August 30, 2009
In June, the Department of Energy said it is making
$300 million in stimulus-act money available to state energy offices to offer rebates on energy-efficient household appliances. California's share is $35.27 million.
Unlike the $3 billion clunkers program, which required an old car to be traded in, consumers do not have to turn in an old appliance to get a rebate on a new one.
Another difference: The clunkers program was consistent nationwide, but each state can decide which appliance categories will be eligible for rebates, how energy efficient they must be, the amount of the rebates, whether they can be combined with other rebates, how the money will be tracked, and how consumers and retailers will know when it is about to run out.
The California Energy Commission, which will receive the money in California, has made no decisions about any of these issues.
"We have until Oct. 15 to apply for the program. The federal government has until the end of November to disburse awards back to the state," says Amy Morgan, a spokeswoman for the commission. She says consumers can start getting rebates "later this fall or maybe early 2010." In the meantime, she says, consumers should investigate rebates offered by utilities.
...
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/articl...&type=business
Why not cash for houses to help the housing market?
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