May 20 - McClatchy-Tribune Regional News - Eric Anderson Times Union, Albany, N.Y.



Three months after it was launched, New York's appliance rebate program has worked its way through more than $16 million in federal funding, and is winding down.

On Wednesday evening, just $640,000 remained of the original $16.8 million allotment in federal stimulus funds, according to the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, which administers the program.

"While New Yorkers can still receive rebates for appliances that will reduce their energy costs and protect the environment, we're reaching the home stretch," said Francis J. Murray, president and CEO of NYSERDA.

"We urge anyone who has been thinking about replacing an old appliance to act sooner rather than later if they want to take advantage of a limited-time opportunity to save money."

 Unlike the "cash for clunkers" auto rebate program, which quickly ran through its federal allotment, the appliance program apparently had more than adequate funds to get through the initial ten days it was scheduled to run.

It started strongly, with appliance dealers extending store hours, some pressing office staff and family members into action.

But the pace soon slackened, and 12 days after its launch, the program still had nearly $8.7 million in available funds for rebates. Those rebates ranged from as little as $50 for an energy-efficient freezer without recycling an old freezer, to $555 for a bundle that included a refrigerator, clothes washer and dishwasher to replace older appliances which were then recycled.

"It was really busy at the beginning of the program," said John Marcella of John D. Marcella Appliances on Broadway in Schenectady. "It's slowed down quite a bit."

Marcella, by the way, holds its grand opening celebration today for its new store at 560 Broadway in Schenectady.

NYSERDA officials say they're pleased with the success of the program.

"We had no predictions at the beginning of the program about how quickly the money would go," NYSERDA spokesman Jeffrey Gordon said Wednesday. "We knew we had demand for energy-efficient appliances."

He said the goal, to maximize the potential of the money to replace energy-wasting appliances and to stimulate retail sales, was achieved.

Now that the money is nearly gone, Gordon advised consumers to check the appliance rebate website at www.nyapplianceswapout.com, to ensure there's still money available.

Eric Anderson can be reached at 454-5323 or by e-mail at eanderson@timesunion.com.

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