Recovery Act Update: Appliance Rebate Program
The Recovery Act provided $300 million to states and territories to promote the purchase of ENERGY STAR appliances. States may use the funds for a variety of rebate programs and residential appliances, as long as the rebates support individual consumers replacing old appliances. All 50 states and six territories are participating in the program, and rebates will be available between December 2009 and June 2010. See our Recovery Act summary for more details on the program.
Spending Snapshot - August 20, 2010:
Appropriated: $299 million
Awarded to States: $299 million (100% of appropriated funds)
Spent: $173 million (58% of appropriated funds)
Source
Funding Roll Out:
DOE announced the program in July 2009 and awarded funds to states in two segments: 10 percent after a basic application in August, and the balance after the program plans were approved in December.
Appliance Rebate Recovery Act Timeline
- August 15, 2009: Initial state applications due to DOE
- September 30, 2009: Initial 10% funding awarded to states
- October 10, 2009: Comprehensive program plans due to DOE
- December 24, 2009: Remaining funds awarded to states
- December 2010: Rebates available in three states
- January 2010: Rebates available in five states
- February 2010: Rebates available in nine states
- March 2010: Rebates available in 22 states
- April 2010: Rebates available in 13 states
- February 2012: Funds to be expended
State Use of Funds:
Rebate program plans vary from state to state. See the rebate plans for each state for more specific information on program roll-out, launch dates, eligible appliances, eligible participants, and appliance recycling, or the Department of Energy’s Presentation on the State Energy Efficiency Appliance Rebate Program.
Prospects:
Most rebate programs begin in early 2010 and will last until funds run out. Unlike many other Recovery Act programs, prevailing-wage requirements and buy American provisions do not apply to the Appliance Rebate Program, significantly increasing its deployment rate.
