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Thursday, 01 October 2009 |
 Lark Brotherton of Benton looks at an Energy Star Whirlpool Duet dryer at McClendon's in Benton. The dryer is one of many appliances that may be included in the coming cash-for-clunkers appliance program that is expected to begin later this year. Molly Fleming
Following the success of the federal cash-for-clunkers vehicle rebate program, the U.S. government has begun setting up an appliance clunker program that will be run by each individual state. However, Arkansas’ plans are still being developed and must be submitted to the U.S. Department of Energy by Oct. 15.
“There’s a lot of buzz about the program right now. But nothing has been finalized and won’t be finalized until late November at the earliest,” said Monica Beard-Raymond, outreach and training manager for Arkansas Department of Energy, which will be operating the appliance clunker program.
Arkansas received $2.7 million for the rebate program. The amount was based on population and developed through a formula created by the DOE, said Beard-Raymond. The program is part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and reinforces the Obama administration’s committment to make American homes more energy efficient.
Arkansas will receive most of the money for the rebates once the DOE approves the state’s plan for the rebate program. The state already received 10 percent of the money once it announced its initiative to create a plan for approval.
Officials do not yet know which appliances will be allowed for rebates. Each state that wants to be involved in the program must develop its own plan.
Appliances available for rebate under DOE rules include central air conditioners, boilers, furnaces (oil and gas), freezers, room air conditioners, clothes washers, dishwashers, water heaters, freezers, refrigerators and water pumps (air source and geothermal). All appliances must be replaced with an Energy Star-rated appliances.
“We won’t rebate everything off the list. I don’t know any state that will. Everything is still subject to debate,” Beard-Raymond said.
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