WESTBROOK, Maine — A new program introduced Wednesday aims to cut help Mainers cut down on energy costs, which include plans to aid homeowners looking to upgrade to clean energy appliances.
U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm, joined by Gov. Janet Mills, announced the Home Energy Rebate Program.
"One of the great things these programs are doing is inviting people and providing rebates to people to incorporate heat pumps in their homes and other energy saving appliances that are more affordable," Mills said. "It'll save you more money in-pocket."
Thanks to federal funds through the Inflation Reduction Act, $71.7 million is heading to Maine to go toward two prongs of the rebate program that will fund energy upgrades in residential buildings.
"The $71 million is what has been designated for Maine to do these home energy rebates, like for heat pumps," Granholm said.
Federal funding toward the program is one part of the Biden administration's Investing in America plan. The new expansion will make low-income homeowners of manufactured homes and of multi-family homes eligible for rebates as well.
According to the governor's office, the rebates will cover the costs of upgrading to heat pumps and electrical panels and will save homeowners as much as $14,000.
Mills and Granholm also visited Stroudwater Apartments, which is currently run by Westbrook Housing. The building uses several cost-efficient appliances, heat pumps, solar panels, and more to lower energy costs.
The success of the building is what state leaders say they hope to replicate with the expanded rebate program.
"These are not just efficient in helping us save the planet, but they're saving people money," Mills said.
"Well, that's what we're all about," Granholm added.