Cash for Appliances?

From The Oklahoma Department of Commerce:

The Oklahoma Department of Commerce recently submitted a comprehensive plan to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) for the state’s Energy Star Appliance Rebate program that is being funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). Oklahoma was approved for a $3.5 million federal grant for the ARRA appliance rebate program.

The DOE is expected to notify Commerce if the state's plan has been approved by November 30. The program will likely begin in early spring of 2010.

"This plan is designed to assist Oklahomans in reducing their energy costs," said Natalie Shirley, Oklahoma Secretary of Commerce. "The program will be managed by a third party administrator, which will be selected through the state’s procurement process."

A working group comprised of members from Commerce, Oklahoma Community Action Agencies, and members of state utility companies developed the recommended rebates for Oklahoma. The working group estimated approximately 23,000 rebates for Energy Star appliances could be awarded from the proposed state plan. The proposed appliances and rebates levels are:

Clothes Washers $200
Refrigerators $200
Room Air Conditioners $50
Water Heaters $100
Central Air Conditioners $100
Gas Furnaces $100
Ground Source Heat Pumps $250

Shirley said more details on qualified appliances will be determined following the selection of a third party administrator and that all information is pending DOE approval.

Vaughn Clark, Commerce Director of Community Development, said each state created its own appliance rebate plan. He said the criteria used in writing the plan were energy savings potential and usage in Oklahoma.

"This is an opportunity for Oklahoma families to benefit from the national stimulus funding. Investing in new, energy-saving appliance replacements will help families save money in the long run," Clark said.

Clark said old appliances must be recycled and removed from the property in order to qualify, and rebates will not be available for appliances purchased prior to the program’s spring 2010 start date. He said only Oklahoma residential consumers will be eligible for rebates in Oklahoma, and there is a maximum of one rebate per appliance and two rebates per household.

The estimated annual savings in Oklahoma from the Energy Star appliance program is: 7,665,683 kWh of energy; 34,230,000 gallons of water and 9,985,150 lbs. of CO2

Hold off on your appliance purchases people, Oklahoma has a handout a commin.