Biden-Harris Administration Announces Rhode Island's Launch of First Phase of Federal Home Energy Rebate Programs to Help Lower Families' Utility

Eligible Rhode Island Households Can Use the Federal Home Energy Rebate Programs to Save Energy, Save Money on Energy-Efficient Electrical Upgrades, and Lower Housing Costs

Investing in America Agenda Provides Added Support to Rhode Island's Existing Energy-Efficiency Programs, Giving Residents More Opportunities to Save

PROVIDENCE, R.I.-As part of President Biden's Investing in America agenda, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced today that Rhode Island has launched its first federal Home Energy Rebates program, supported by the Inflation Reduction Act. Rhode Island is the fifth state in the nation to launch a Home Energy Rebates program. The Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates (HEAR) portion of the rebate program that Rhode Island launched today will enable low- and middle-income households to save on energy-efficiency improvements.

Rhode Island's launch is part of the Biden-Harris Administration's nationwide initiative to provide $8.8 billion in Federal funding for states, territories, and Tribes to lower energy costs and increase efficiency in American homes by making it cheaper to install cost-saving measures such as heat pumps, electrical panels, and insulation, which helps save money on housing costs. These energy-saving measures will save American households up to $1 billion annually in energy costs and support an estimated 50,000 U.S. jobs in residential construction, manufacturing, and other sectors. These investments also advance the President's Justice40 Initiative, which sets a goal that 40% of the overall benefits of certain federal climate, clean energy, affordable and sustainable housing, and other investments flow to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution.

"Rhode Island is already ahead of the game with an existing rebates program helping thousands of homeowners save money on energy-efficient upgrades, and the Biden-Harris administration is helping thousands more reap these same benefits," said U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm. "Thanks to the Investing in America agenda, Rhode Island can expand its program to include electric stoves, electric panel upgrades, and more-a shining example of how state and federal programs can work together to maximize the impact for American consumers."

"Home energy rebates for clean and energy-efficient appliances and upgrades are good for the planet because they help cut pollution, but more importantly, they are good for Rhode Islanders because they will save money by lowering energy bills," said John Podesta, Senior Advisor tothe President for International Climate Policy. "Congratulations to Rhode Island for making these game-changing Inflation Reduction Act incentives available to their residents."

"The Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates Program will help many Rhode Islanders update to ENERGY STAR appliances in their homes." said Governor Dan McKee. "This initiative is another positive step in reducing our state's carbon emissions and creating the good paying jobs necessary for the clean energy transition."

"The federal government is energizing our economy and enabling more Rhode Islanders to make cost-effective home electrification upgrades. Made possible by the landmark Inflation Reduction Act, these rebates will lower household energy costs and fight climate change, while bolstering America's energy independence and strengthening U.S. manufacturing," said U.S. Senator Jack Reed.

"I was very glad to help secure federal funding in the historic Inflation Reduction Act to jumpstart Rhode Island's Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates program, which was designed to help working families who are getting squeezed by high utility bills," said U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse. "I hope Rhode Islanders will take full advantage of this opportunity to get brand new appliances at a steep discount and make home improvements to save money on their electric bills."

Many Americans spend a large portion of their monthly income to heat, cool and power their homes. To advance the objectives of the rebate programs, DOE is requiring states and territories to allocate at least half of the rebates to low-income households, defined as those earning 80% or less of their area median income, which is expected to benefit many households in disadvantaged communities. States and territories must also submit Community Benefits Plans to ensure good jobs and other economic opportunities are available. To help keep consumers informed and equipped with resources, DOE recently released a Consumer Bill of Rights framework and is encouraging state, territorial and Tribal rebates programs to adopt it.

Rhode Island's Home Energy Rebate Programs

Rhode Island is launching its HEAR program - one of two programs making up the Federal Home Energy Rebate programs - in two phases.

Initially, Rhode Island will focus on issuing rebates to low-income households (defined as those earning 80% or less of their area median income) through six Community Action Partnerships (CAPs). These nonprofit agencies partner with the state of Rhode Island to administer energy efficiency programs, such as the long-standing Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP). (Rhode Island's WAP program received $15 million, a more than 10-fold increase under President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.) CAP representatives will visit low-income households to conduct home assessments to determine household energy needs.

Rhode Island will use its HEAR program to offer rebates for measures not available through existing state programs. Eligible residents will be able to save up to:

• $4,000  for an electrical panel.
• $2,500  for electrical wiring.
• $840  for an electric stove, cooktop, range, or oven and/or an ENERGY STAR-certified electric heat pump clothes dryer.

The state has an existing rebate program for heat pumps and heat pump water heaters - the Clean Heat RI program.

Rhode Island also plans to make the HEAR program available to moderate-income households earning between 80% to 150% of their area median income.

There is a second Home Energy Rebates program that Rhode Island will also launch later. Under the Home Efficiency Rebates program, households can save money on measures that reduce whole-home energy consumption.

"Heating or cooling your home shouldn't cost a fortune, and today's announcement will help Rhode Islanders save money on their energy bills, especially as we head into the colder months," said U.S. Representative Seth Magaziner (RI-02).

"I'm proud that Rhode Island is among the states leading the way to implement the Department of Energy's Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates (HEAR) Program thanks to the historic investments in the Inflation Reduction Act," said U.S. Representative Gabe Amo (RI- 01). "Through this program, Rhode Islanders in low- and middle-income households can receive support to upgrade their appliances - lowering their monthly energy bill and reducing our state's carbon footprint to achieve our ambitious goal of net-zero emissions by 2050."

"The launch of the Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates Program can reduce the energy burden for low-income households," said Acting Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources Commissioner Chris Kearns. "In addition to empowering consumers, the program helps make homes more energy efficient, which is a necessary step towards achieving the Act on Climate goals."

For more information on Rhode Island's program, visit its Home Energy Rebates website.

More States Get Ready for Rebate Launch

DOE continues to receive and approve funding applications for states, territories and Tribes to launch their Home Energy Rebate programs. To date, 51 states and territories have applied to DOE for early administrative or full program funding. DOE has awarded more than $1.8 billion to states to implement the programs. DOE has also received full funding applications for one or both rebate programs from 27 states and territories, and has awarded 14 states their full funding to launch one or both rebate programs.

Each state is in charge of setting up and running its own programs. In the coming weeks, Home Energy Rebates are expected to become available in several more states, helping more American families save energy and save money with energy-efficient home upgrades. You can check the status of your state's program at energy.gov/save/rebates.

For more information on what you can do to save energy and save money, visit www.energy.gov/save.

###