By Dave Lucas
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wamc/local-wamc-885045.mp3
Latham, NY – New York State officials today kicked off a state-run variation of the "cash for clunkers" program - only this time - it's home appliances they're looking to round up: Capital District Bureau Chief Dave Lucas reports
More than 170-thousand consumers are eligible to receive rebates and other incentives in "New York's Great Appliance Swap Out." The state program to provide cash incentives for buying energy efficient appliances starts tomorrow but was previewed today - at a Latham appliance store... it's mission is two-fold: To save consumers money on energy costs by reducing their energy usage--- and --- providing a needed boost to the economy. The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority is administering the program. [Video snippet from Press Conference]
The rebates for each product range from $50 to $105. Higher rebates of as much as $555 are available if you buy a three appliance package. To qualify, consumers must replace their existing home appliances with new Energy Star-qualified or High Efficiency Energy Star appliances between Friday, Feb. 12, and Sunday, Feb. 21. Rebates are available to residents of single-family homes and multi-family buildings who own the existing appliance that is being replaced. Contractors, builders and multi-family building owners are not eligible.
Governor Paterson set the State's '45 by 15' clean energy goal in 2009, challenging the State to meet 45 percent of its electricity needs by 2015 through increased energy efficiency and renewable energy. It is conservatively estimated that achievement of this goal will create 50,000 new jobs throughout the State.
NYSERDA also offers homeowners potential energy savings through "Home Performance with ENERGY STAR " a program which offers home performance audits and financing for energy efficiency improvements. This program has helped more than 27,000 New Yorkers significantly cut their energy usage. More information about these and other energy-savings programs can be found on NYSERDA's web site at www.GetEnergySmart.org or from NYSERDA's consumer hotline at: 1-877-NY-SMART.
Also: Visit nyapplianceswapout.com for more information.