Environmentally bankrupt
Such a tease: Texas appliance rebate program already depleted
Time's up for green-minded Texans hoping to save a buck and trade up to eco-conscious home appliances.
The Texas Trade Up Appliance Rebate Program, launched today, was intended to make greening Texans' homes financially feasible, but it appears that the initiative didn't provide enough green to ensure a sustainable campaign. In a matter of hours, the program allowing residents to apply for payments to upgrade to Energy Star-rated appliances broke the bank on its $23 million budget. The Texas Comptroller's office blocked online submissions at 10 a.m. once $4 million was distributed in the program's first two hours. A waitlist is now in the works.
The disappearing-act funds were provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Applicants filed for a range of compensation between $45 (for a room air conditioner) upwards of $1,600 for an air-source heat pump. The lucky ones who got the rebates must purchase their energy saving appliances in a Texas store between April 16-25.