Obama Proposes 'Cash for Caulkers': Each Household Eligible for $12,000

[RedEarth]

According to Yahoo Finance, President Obama proposed the program today, saying it would reimburse homeowners for energy-efficient appliances and insulation. And Steve Nadel, director of the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, said "a homeowner could receive up to $12,000 in rebates." The initiative would be rolled out as a part of Obama's stimulus plan, and it's a fantastic idea. Investing money in making energy efficient improvements is one of the smartest, easiest most effective ways to reduce energy consumption, save money, and cut back on carbon emissions--both on individual and national levels.

.....

Consumers might be eligible for a 50% rebate on both the price of the equipment and the installation, up to $12,000, said Nadel. So far, there is no income restriction on who is eligible. That would mean a household could spend as much as $24,000 on upgrades and get half back. Homes that take full advantage of the program could see their energy bills drop as much as 20%, he said. The program is expected to cost in the $10 billion range.


http://www.treehugger.com/files/2009/12/obama-proposes-cash-caulkers-household-12k.php?campaign=th_rss&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+treehuggersite+%28Treehugger%29&utm_content=Google+Reader

..........also



Cash for Caulkers could mean $12K per home
By Steve Hargreaves, CNNMoney.com staff writer
On 6:24 pm EST, Tuesday December 8, 2009

President Obama proposed a new program Tuesday that would reimburse homeowners for energy-efficient appliances and insulation, part of a broader plan to stimulate the economy.

The administration didn't provide immediate details, but said it would work with Congress on crafting legislation. Steve Nadel, director at the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, who's helping write the bill, said a homeowner could receive up to $12,000 in rebates.

The proposal is part of the President's larger spending plan, which also includes money for small businesses, renewable energy manufacturing, and infrastructure.

We know energy efficiency "creates jobs, saves money for families, and reduces the pollution that threatens our environment," Obama said. "With additional resources, in areas like advanced manufacturing of wind turbines and solar panels, for instance, we can help turn good ideas into good private-sector jobs."

The program contains two parts: money for homeowners for efficiency projects, and money for companies in the renewable energy and efficiency space.

The plan will likely create a new program where private contractors conduct home energy audits, buy the necessary gear and install it, according to a staffer on the Senate Energy Committee and Nadel at the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy.

Big-ticket items like air conditioners, heating systems, washing machines, refrigerators, windows and insulation would likely be covered, Nadel said.

Consumers might be eligible for a 50% rebate on both the price of the equipment and the installation, up to $12,000, said Nadel. So far, there is no income restriction on who is eligible. That would mean a household could spend as much as $24,000 on upgrades and get half back.

Homes that take full advantage of the program could see their energy bills drop as much as 20%, he said. The program is expected to cost in the $10 billion range.


http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Cash-for-Caulkers-could-mean-cnnm-1594823266.html/print?x=0

[Myrina]

1. ... well that's nice but what if you don't have a job or the money

... to make those upgrades and get the 'credit'? SOL, as usual.

[Pirate Smile]

4. Maybe you can get a job with all the companies and suppliers that will be providing the materials

and services to people who can afford to make the upgrades.

It really isn't required to be a f#$king naysayer about every friggin thing.

It doesn't add to the credibility of the people constantly bitching.

[Myrina]

10. and what 'friggin things' have I been a "f#$king naysayer" about?

Do you know me? I didn't think so. :eyes:

By the way, I DO have a job, and I also have a 40 year-old house that needs new windows and some additional insulation but with wages suppressed in general, combined with being a female (further wage suppression), there's no way I can pull $24k out of my ass to have those things done.

[Pirate Smile]

14. You bitched about a program to help spur job creation and energy efficiency at the same time. What

did you expect - a high five?

[RedEarth]

6. Perhaps a program such as this might help you get a job

I not saying you're qualified or want to do a job that would be directly impacted by this program(windows, insulation, etc.), but anytime one more person is put to work it helps the economy in general. So, perhaps indirectly it might help you find employment.

[Mopar151]

15. Could this

Be parlayed with some utility rebates and community action money? Maybe this could be structured so the materials come at a 50% discount with some kind of benefit card? (Insulation stamps?)

[tandot]

2. Our A/C & heater unit is over 20 years old and we are thinking about replacing it

Our A/C broke down for a couple of days this summer when it was 110 degrees. Our son was just a couple of month old and it was way too hot for all of us. Even with A/C, the temperature never was less than 80 degrees when it was above 100 outside.

We'd definitely take advantage of the program and just put a new one in.

[RedEarth]

8. I think it's a great program and would help a lot of people

...plus it would help the environment and help put people back to work. It sounds like a win, win for everyone...I just hope it gets passed.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

3. AKA layaway.

[DoBotherMe]

5. I want free money

that doesn't have to be paid back unless I sell the house within 5 years (and then at a lesser amount). That would be a helpful bailout for homeowners and a way to reduce energy use. I wish they'd take a realistic look at the housing stock and who lives in the houses that need rehab. And there should be an income restriction otherwise, again, those who can afford to do it without help will get the free money. Jeez-us, when are they going to do the right thing. Dana ; )

[CTyankee]

7. We had to re-fi to get our new windows, but luckily we got a much better interest rate.

So it worked out really well for us...I was semi-retired, hubby still working. We find ways that we can afford these things while we are blessed with at least SOME employment...

[Myrina]

11. exactly.

n/t

[phantom power]

9. Of course this is happening the year after we replaced our A/C and our windows.

:banghead:

[jwirr]

12. I like this idea because it is to the people, green and local. This will

help us in many ways into the future. I do not own a home but I live in my children's home so it would help us a great deal. If they are going to spend money they could do worse than this.

[Ruby the Liberal]

13. I wonder if net-metered Solar would be included?

[European Socialist]

16. Been Jonesing for solar panels for 3 years--Included??