(Washington, DC) Today, Congressman Ted Deutch sent U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu an urgent letter regarding millions of federal dollars in recovery rebates for Floridians who made energy-efficient home upgrades that are set to expire on September 30th, 2010. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act allocated Florida $31.5 million to stimulate the economy by spurring consumer demand for energy-efficient air conditioners and solar panels. More than 10,000 homeowners and businesses in Florida are on a waiting list to receive the rebates they were promised.
“It would be a shame for Floridians who made these energy-efficient purchases in good faith to suffer at the hands of bureaucratic inaction,” said Congressman Deutch. “Thousands of Florida consumers made the decision to buy energy efficient products based on the promised federal help. We must live up to our end of the bargain and do everything possible to pay out these rebates in order for them to fulfill their intended stimulative effect. Our ability to put politics aside and these recovery dollars to work is critical to showing the federal government that investing in Florida is always a good choice."
The rebate program has been suspended because the Florida Legislature has not properly allocated funding for the projects under Recovery Act guidelines. Congressman Deutch’s letter requests guidance from the Department of Energy on how Florida can best ensure these recovery dollars get out the door and into the pockets of Florida families and business owners who made energy-efficient upgrades.
A copy of the letter sent to Secretary Chu is available here:
available here:
Since winning an April 2010 special election in Florida's 19th district, Congressman Deutch has worked aggressively to spur growth in America's emerging renewable energy industry. Within his first few weeks in office, he passed an amendment on the House floor extending eligibility for Home Star energy rebates to Americans rebuilding their homes after hurricanes and other natural disasters. Congressman Deutch has paired his advocacy in Washington with efforts to build relationships between green businesses, advocates, researchers, and environmentalists in South Florida through networking events and most recently, a renewable energy summit at Florida Atlantic University.
