NY first state to give Inflation Reduction Act energy rebates
TL/DR –
Governor Kathy Hochul has announced a $39.6 million rebate initiative to support low-income New Yorkers in making energy efficiency upgrades to their homes via the federal Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates (HEAR) Program. Expected to save communities $8.8 billion collectively, the program incentivizes the installation of energy-efficient upgrades like heat pumps, insulation, and upgraded electrical panels. The initiative aligns with the state’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, which aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 85% by 2050.
Gov. Hochul and Officials Announce $39.6 Million Energy Efficiency Rebates for Low-Income New Yorkers
Governor Kathy Hochul and U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm have announced a new Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates (HEAR) Program. Low-income New Yorkers can now receive rebates for energy efficiency upgrades, aimed at reducing household energy costs.
At a press event in Long Island City’s Andromeda Community Center, Hochul presented the Biden administration’s incentive-based rebate program for energy efficiency improvements. Connected to the Inflation Reduction Act and the Investing in America agenda, the scheme expects to generate $8.8 billion in national savings via energy-efficient installations.
New Yorkers are the first to access these rebates. Hochul stated that $39.6 million in rebates are presently available to aid low-income families in performing energy efficiency and electrification upgrades. This move supports the state’s ambitious goals under the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 85% by 2050.
Hochul praised the initiative, stating that these rebates, a first-of-its-kind, will expand access to home improvements, reduce energy bills, and lessen reliance on fossil fuels. “Thanks to the strong partnership between New York State, the Biden Administration, and the U.S. Department of Energy, we are making progress in making the clean energy transition affordable for all New Yorkers,” she said.
Granholm emphasized the broader impact of the program, noting that it signifies a substantial step towards energy efficiency and shows how governmental action can directly benefit the public by reducing living costs.
U.S. Senator Charles Schumer also hailed the initiative. He called the HEAR program the “secret sauce” of the revolutionary Inflation Reduction Act. “With this $40 million federal boost, the HEAR program will reduce the cost of installing energy efficiency and electrification upgrades in a home or apartment, making them more affordable for New Yorkers while radically reducing carbon pollution,” Schumer added.
Eligibility extends to New Yorkers in households earning below 80 percent of the Area Median Income or participating in utility payment assistance programs. For further information on the application process and requirements, residents are encouraged to visit the NYSERDA website.
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