Maine and Wisconsin Submit Funding Applications, Taking Next Steps Toward Launching Rebates

An update from the Office of State and Community Energy Programs:

Two more states — Maine and Wisconsin — have submitted their grant applications to the U.S. Department of Energy for the Home Efficiency Rebates and Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates programs.

Maine and Wisconsin have applied for their full $71.7 million and $149.4 million allocations respectively. Soon, in addition to their existing state energy efficiency incentives and rebate programs as well as federal tax credits, eligible residents will be able to apply for Home Energy Rebates to save money on energy-efficiency and electrification improvements.

“Maine and Wisconsin have long been at the forefront in helping their residents save money and energy through their existing energy efficiency initiatives and opportunities,” said Keishaa Austin, Acting Principal Deputy Director of DOE’s Office of State and Community Energy Programs. “They are now raising the bar by being among the first six states to apply for both the Home Efficiency Rebates and the Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates programs. We are excited to partner with them to offer this vital support to help their residents reduce energy costs.”

“Maine is pleased to submit this application to support home energy efficiency rebates with a particular focus on multifamily affordable housing and income-eligible households,” said Dan Burgess, Director of the Maine Governor’s Energy Office. “Maine is a national leader in energy efficiency, and these programs will provide additional funding to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels, save Maine people and families money on their home heating and cooling, and grow our economy. These rebates, which are expected to become available later this year, will be a great addition to existing energy efficiency incentives and federal tax credits available to Maine residents and businesses.”

“Wisconsin’s application reflects input gathered following a robust public engagement process and deliberative program planning and is designed to help eligible residents effectively access these energy-saving rebates,” said Public Service Commission of Wisconsin Chairperson Summer Strand. “We eagerly await Department of Energy approval so we can deploy these exciting new programs in Wisconsin.”

Interested parties can stay up to date on Maine’s programs by visiting the Governor’s Energy Office website and on Wisconsin’s programs by visiting its Home Energy Rebates page.

DOE is now reviewing Maine’s and Wisconsin’s funding applications. Once DOE approves the applications and awards funding, Maine and Wisconsin will complete the final steps to launch their programs.

Zooming Out: The National Picture

This summer, the Home Energy Rebates will begin coming online in some states, allowing Americans to save energy and save money with energy-efficient home upgrades. The rebates provide $8.8 billion for states, territories, and Tribes to lower energy costs and increase efficiency by making it cheaper to install measures such as heat pumps, electrical panels, and insulation.

Many Americans spend a large portion of their monthly income to heat, cool and power their homes – with some of the lowest-income families spending upwards of 30 percent of their income on energy bills. Americans can expect to save $1 billion in energy costs every year because of the rebate programs.

To benefit disadvantaged communities, states and territories must allocate at least half of the rebates to low-income households, defined as those earning 80 percent or less of their area median income. States and territories must also submit plans to ensure good jobs and other economic opportunities are available.

Fourteen states have now applied for funding under at least one of the Home Energy Rebate programs. You can track states’ and territories’ progress at energy.gov/save/rebates.