Energy

Rhode Island Receives $30 Million for Energy-Efficiency Rebates. How Can You Cash In?

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U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm recently spoke in Cranston about high energy costs for Rhode Islanders and how they could save. (Colleen Cronin/ecoRI News)

CRANSTON, R.I. — Rhode Islanders, especially low- and middle-income residents, spend a lot on energy, U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm said during a visit to the Ocean State on Tuesday afternoon.

The U.S. Department of Energy considers a household energy cost-burdened if it spends 6% or more of its income on energy needs. But in Rhode Island, some of the lowest income earners are spending about 18% of their income on energy, according to Granholm.

“That’s not acceptable, not acceptable, right governor?” she asked Gov. Dan McKee during an event launching the new rebate program at the IBEW Local 99 Union Hall in Cranston.

“Absolutely not,” he replied.

“Okay,” she said. “So, what are we doing about it?”

Granholm explained her visit marked the launch of Rhode Island’s federal Home Energy Rebate program to help low- and middle-income residents pay for energy-efficient home improvements that will lower their energy bills and help reduce carbon emissions.

The Ocean State received $32 million from the Inflation Reduction Act to start the program initially and will receive more funding to expand the rebates to higher income residents in 2025.

Residents making 80% or less of the state median income can qualify for updated electric panels and wiring and some new energy-efficient appliances, including electric stove tops, ranges, ovens, and heat pump clothes dryers.

“There’s a ton of all of these technologies that are happening and that are being deployed, which is great, but often the folks who are able to afford heat pumps or solar panels or induction stoves are folks who are at the higher end of income,” Granholm said. “So, we want to make sure that these kinds of products are accessible.”

The program offers rebates of up to $4,000 for an electrical panel; $2,500 for electrical wiring; and $840 for an electric stove, cooktop, range, oven, and/or heat pump clothes dryer.

Granholm said those improvements, along with updates from existing rebate and tax credit programs in Rhode Island that include solar panels, heat pumps, and weatherization, can results in hundreds or even thousands of dollars in energy cost savings annually.

To take advantage of these programs, Granholm said the first step is to reach out to the state Office of Energy Resources at 401-714-3484.

The office will connect interested residents with one of seven community action agencies that administer the program.

They will perform a home assessment to see what a household is eligible for.

“We want to make sure that our residents know that this program is in Rhode Island,” Elizabeth Castellano, chief operating officer for the Community Action Partnership of Providence County, said during the event. “That [there’s] savings that they’re going to get.”

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  1. The federal government CAUSES the energy unaffordability, then doles out taxpayer money to “fix” the problem. If people cannot fathom the scam going on here, then this detrimental cycle will continue.

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