Press Release

Senators Urge DOE Secretary to allow working families the freedom to purchase energy appliances that lower their utility bills WASHINGTON, D.C. — This week, U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) , Ranking Member of the Agriculture Subcommittee on Rural Development , Energy , and Credit , joined U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) , Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee , and nine Senate Democrats in writing to U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Chris Wright in opposition DOE’s new High-Efficiency Electric Home Rebate (HEEHR) program guidance. By prohibiting families from using the program to update their gas appliances with electric appliances, DOE’s guidance reflects the exact opposite of Congress’ intent in creating the program. Congress authorized and provided $4.28 billion to the High-Efficiency Electric Home Rebate (HEEHR) program to ensure that Americans could purchase more efficient appliances and install home upgrades. This voluntary program saves households around $1,000 annually on their energy bills. The Senators wrote : “We write to express strong opposition to the Department of Energy’s (DOE) new High-Efficiency Electric Home Rebate (HEEHR) program guidance…The Department’s guidance released earlier this month prohibits families from using the program to update their gas appliances with electric appliances.” The Senators continued , “The statute explicitly states that rebates can be used ‘to replace a nonelectric appliance.’ DOE does not have the authority to rewrite the statute through guidance. At a time when energy prices are skyrocketing, this Administration should be focused on making energy affordable – not hamstringing one of the few programs that puts money directly in families’ pockets.” The Senators concluded: “The Department’s recently released guidance will halt HEEHR programs already operating in 12 states as state energy offices race to comply, and delay approval for dozens of states that have been ready to launch since the beginning of this Administration. Rather than clearing this backlog and getting funding out the door, DOE has issued illegal restrictions that will reduce consumer choice and delay much needed resources. We urge you to immediately reverse course and implement the HEEHR program as Congress intended. In addition to Sens. Welch and Heinrich, the letter is cosigned by Sens. Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), and Mazie Hirono (D- Hawaii). Read and download the Senators’ full letter to DOE Secretary Wright. ###