WASHINGTON,
D.C. – U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) announced Tuesday
that Oregon will receive over $3.6 million to provide consumers with rebates
when purchasing new energy efficient appliances. The rebates will provide
money back for Oregonians when they purchase ENERGY STAR-qualified appliances included in the state-run program,
resulting in economic growth, savings for consumers, and reduced greenhouse gas
emissions.
“Providing
families with rebates when they purchase of energy efficient appliances will
spur Oregon’s economy while reducing energy costs for consumers,” Merkley
said. “Energy efficiency is a key component of our transition to a clean
energy economy and this Recovery Act funding will help Oregon families along
the path towards a bright economic future.”
“Breaking
our addiction on fossil fuels is going to require an all-hands-on-deck effort
to reduce energy consumption,” Wyden said. “This funding gives Oregonians the incentive
to do their part in breaking that addiction by replacing wasteful, inefficient
appliances with ones that consume far less energy. This is another good example
of how we can stimulate our economy while reducing America’s reliance on fossil
fuels.”
Through
their programs, each state will be able to select which residential ENERGY STAR-qualified appliances will be included and what
the rebate amount will be for each appliance. The Department of Energy
has made the recommendation that states include appliances that provide the
greatest potential for energy savings, including heating and cooling equipment
and water heaters.
The
program will take advantage of ENERGY STAR, a labeling program that assists
retailers and consumers in identifying energy efficient products.
According to the Department of Energy, ENERGY STAR is a joint program of the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy that
covers more than 60 product categories and is supported by a network of almost
600 utility and state and government partners serving more than 74 million
households, over 2,000 retail partners representing more than 27,000
storefronts, and 2,645 manufacturers of ENERGY STAR-qualified products.
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