Darn, more 'bad' news. :D
Obama to spell out rebates for energy efficiency
By DARLENE SUPERVILLE
Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Consumers would collect on-the-spot rebates of $1,000 or more for buying insulation, water heaters or other equipment to make their homes burn energy more efficiently under a rebate program President Barack Obama is promoting.
Obama was traveling to Savannah, Ga., on Tuesday to outline the Home Star program. Obama called for energy rebates in his State of the Union address, and officials hope the plan will be as popular as last year's Cash for Clunkers money-back program for autos.
"We should put more Americans to work building clean energy facilities - and give rebates to Americans who make their homes more energy-efficient, which support clean energy jobs," Obama said in January.
He has said shifting the U.S. toward cleaner, renewable sources of energy and making homes - particularly older houses - more energy-efficient will help accomplish three goals: reducing America's dependence on foreign energy sources, creating much-needed jobs and saving consumers money on their utility bills.
Obama was stopping at Savannah Technical College to visit students who are learning how to install insulation and other equipment.
The new program has two levels of rebates. Various vendors, ranging from small, independent contractors to national home improvement chains, would promote the rebates, give the money to consumers and then wait for reimbursement from the federal government.
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