State receives $189 million grant from fed government to fund energy efficiency rebate programs

State receives $189 million grant from fed government to fund energy efficiency rebate programs

The state of New Jersey, in parting gift from the Biden administration, on Friday was awarded just under $189 million to be used as rebates for consumer home energy rebate programs, enabling communities to make homes more energy efficient, upgrade to electric appliances and cut energy costs.

The funds came from the Inflation Reduction Act, which was signed in August of 2022.

The funds ($182,962,089) are intended to fund home efficiency rebates, home electrification and appliance rebates.

It is unclear when the state will announce programs to access the funds. So far, only a handful of states have done so.

In November, New York became the first to do so, announcing an Appliance Upgrade Program in which residents can receive up to $840 off the purchase price of a heat pump clothes dryer. Households eligible for this rebate may also receive rebates of $4,000 and $2,500, respectively, for electrical panel and wiring upgrades necessary for the proper functioning of a heat pump dryer.

The DOE, during the Biden administration, estimated that the home energy efficiency and electrification consumer rebates authorized will save households up to $1 billion annually.