Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-NM), a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee and the Co-Founder and co-chair of the Electrification Caucus, announced his support for the U.S. Department of Energy's guidance on the implementation of the Home Energy Rebate Programs for State and Territorial Energy Offices, according to a press release on July 27. These programs were secured by Heinrich in the Inflation Reduction Act and were based on his Zero-Emission Homes Act according to a press release.
"This federal guidance is an important first step in implementing the Home Energy Rebate Programs, which will make electric appliances and whole-home retrofits more affordable for eligible families," he said in the release.
These initiatives, based on Heinrich's Zero-Emission Homes Act and secured through the Inflation Reduction Act, were included in the significant climate, clean energy, and cost-savings legislation passed into law by President Biden and Democrats in Congress the previous year, according to the release. While awaiting specific guidance on Tribal energy offices' implementation, Heinrich welcomed the progress in advancing energy efficiency efforts through these rebate programs.
“It is now incumbent on state energy offices—including the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department in New Mexico—to stand up and staff these programs to maximize the benefits to American families. The faster we are able to deliver these rebates, the sooner we will be able to lower home appliance costs for families and create healthier homes,” Heinrich said, according to the release.
The Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates will be capped at $14,000 per household, comprising $8,000 for heat pump costs, $1,750 for a heat pump water heater, and $4,000 for panel/service upgrades, the release reported. Additionally, electric stoves, clothes dryers, insulation, and air sealing measures are also eligible for rebates. With more than 70% of U.S. households expected to qualify for these rebates, the program aims to cover up to 100% of costs for low-income households and up to 50% of costs for moderate-income households, promoting electrification and energy efficiency nationwide while making it financially viable for a substantial portion of the population.