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1/15/2010
Aren’t consumers taxpayers too?
“‘Cash for Appliances’ gives energy savings to consumers and boosts sales to retailers” blared the headline in the Oshkosh Northwestern yesterday,
I read the article quickly, looking for just an inkling of who was paying for this giveaway (well... I knew...) Are consumers taxpayers too? Is a giveaway such a deal for taxpayers, when every dime spent via the “American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is borrowed?
Focus on Energy has the scoop, including the rebates you can qualify for.
Cash-Back Rewards are now available under the Wisconsin State Energy-Efficient Appliance Rebate Program (SEEARP) by completing and submitting a mail-in reward application.
The U.S. Department of Energy has allocated funding available under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for state-run rebate programs for consumer purchases of new ENERGY STAR® qualified home appliances. The allocation for the State of Wisconsin is $5.4 million of the nearly $300 million available nationwide.
This program is funded in part by the Wisconsin Department of Administration, Office of Energy Independence.
It could probably be said, given the tragic state of the State of Wisconsin’s income statement these days, that those WI DOA funds are borrowed as well.
Q&A (from Focus on Energy web site, linked above)
Is there a recycling or turn in requirement for old appliances with refrigerant?
Customers applying for Cash-Back Rewards on refrigerators, freezers, or central air conditioners must provide proof that their old unit was taken out of service and properly recycled. Customers have several options to provide this proof….
Can I receive more than one rebate?
Consumers purchasing multiple qualifying appliances for their residence can receive Cash-Back Rewards for each purchase. Cash-Back Rewards are available to residential customers. Businesses, including landlords, are not eligible. [Why would that be?]
How long will the program last?
The program will last until February 2012 or until funds are exhausted. The allocation of funding for the State of Wisconsin is $5.4 million.
I live out of state and own a vacation home in Wisconsin. Can I receive a rebate?
Yes, qualifying appliances installed in your Wisconsin property are eligible for Cash-Back Rewards. [What??]
So, get going – you never know when the big bucks will run out. I can picture mounds of old cars morphing into refrig’s and air conditioners. If you want the rebate, you can’t give your possibly still-not-so-old appliance to Aunt Mable or daughter Sue. That’s tragic. Ok, get rid of the really bad energy-guzzlers. But might not someone in the community really be able to use that refrigerator or freezer that has served you well for a couple of years?
Landlords don’t qualify? Hmmm. They vote and pay taxes don’t they? But if you’re driving up here from Chicago and want to save on good ol’ state of Wisconsin electricity, feel free to take those big bucks from your adopted state. Geeeez.
Jo Egelhoff, FoxPolitics.net
COMMENTS
Anyone who is surprised that there are strings attached or that you MAY or MAY NOT get the money once you fill out the paperwork and send it in on a wing and a prayer ... please raise your hand now.
I didn't think so.
It's the way these things go. We drove a "clunker" last summer - it was on its' last gasp and not likely it would run long for someone else. So we went to see if maybe we could get something a little more fuel efficient. Nope - didn't make it through all the flaming hoops included in the Cash for Clunkers routine.
So the result, we sold the clunker to someone else "as is" and bought what we could afford - another vehicle which will soon qualify as a clunker. Too bad. That new car didn't get sold, so not a lot of economic stimulating went on, our old car is still on the road - not so green, and we're still guzzlin' fuel with our new "soon to be clunker". All because of an irrelevant detail.
Yep, they know what's good for us better than we can figure out for ourselves. Just ask any government official - they'll tell you so!
Jeff Riedl (Fri Jan 15 08:17:03 2010)
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