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Guidance and Materials for the State Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program

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AS OF FEBRUARY 17, 2012, ALL PROGRAMS ARE CLOSED AND NO MORE REBATES ARE AVAILABLE.

Here you will find the guidance documents, budgeting spreadsheets, and supporting materials for state energy offices to administer the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) State Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program. You will find links to these resources in the sections below:

On July 14, 2009, DOE announced that it was making $300 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act available to states and overseas U.S. territories to promote the purchase of ENERGY STAR® qualified appliances. Under this program, called the State Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program (SEEARP), states can give consumers rebates for replacing old appliances with new energy-efficient models. Read the DOE press release announcing SEEARP funding.

The purpose of SEEARP is to save energy and stimulate the economy at the same time. You can read more about energy efficiency funding from the Recovery Act on the DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) Web site.

Program Planning Tools and Resources

DOE has prepared a number of technical tools to assist states with program design and roll-out.

Program Guidance Documents

DOE has provided a variety of program guidance to help states apply for and receive SEEARP funding.

  • Questions and Answers About SEEARP
    Read 90 questions and answers; Updated March 6, 2012.

  • Program Closure Update
    A program closure update for states that may still be open on February 17, 2012, which is the official SEEARP closing date for all programs; February 17, 2012.

  • Special Progress Reporting Guidance
    DOE guidance to states and U.S. Territories on special progress reporting requirements for SEEARP; June 21, 2009.

  • Quarterly Progress Report Template
    These reports are due to DOE within 30 days of the end of a quarter. States and U.S. Territories may contact their account manager for a current, customized template.

  • Quarterly Progress Report Template Webinar
    Presentation via Webinar describing how to use the new SEEARP Quarterly Progress Report Template Spreadsheet; January 21, 2010.

  • Questions & Answers on Reporting
    List of questions and answers raised at the December 10, 2010 reporting Webinar; January 19, 2010.

  • Reporting Guidance Webinar
    Presentation via Webinar summarizing SEEARP reporting requirements for states and U.S. Territories on December 10, 2009.

  • Reporting Guidance
    DOE guidance to states and U.S. Territories on reporting requirements for SEEARP; November 25, 2009.

  • Program Design Seminar for State Energy Offices
    Presentation via Webinar on technical assistance available to state energy offices for administering SEEARP on August 27, 2009.

  • Program Overview
    Presentation via Webinar on SEEARP to a meeting of state energy officials on July 23, 2009.

  • SEEARP Funding Opportunity Announcement
    DOE released the SEEARP Funding Opportunity Announcement on July 14, 2009.

  • State Allocations
    Find the SEEARP funding allocation for your state or U.S. territory (based on population); July 14, 2009.

Applications and Tools for Preparing Program Applications and Budgets

In order to participate in the program, each state energy office must submit a plan to DOE that includes the list of covered products, the rebate amounts, and the process for consumers to apply for rebates. As of December 24, 2009 all 56 state and territory plans have been approved by DOE.

Key Dates
Initial applications due August 15, 2009
Initial 10% awarded to states September 30
Program plans due to DOE October 15
Remaining funds awarded December 24
Funds expended February 2012

You can download the grant application package under number DE-FOA-0000119 at Grants.gov.

  • Application Completion Guidance
    Follow these instructions from DOE when filling out your SEEARP program plan and budget; September 11, 2009

  • Program Plan Narrative
    Use this template to fill out the SEEARP program plan for your state; September 11, 2009.

  • Budget Detail Package
    This document (version 1.1) replaces the budget form (SF-424A) for non-construction programs; September 22, 2009.

  • Program Planning Spreadsheet
    Use this spreadsheet tool to calculate your rebate budget and potential energy savings; September 9, 2009.

ENERGY STAR Market Data and Reports

DOE also provides other technical resources to help states and U.S. territories develop and implement their SEEARP activities.

State energy offices may find these additional links helpful.

  • Join the ENERGY STAR Program
    States can join the ENERGY STAR program as an Energy Efficiency Program Sponsor at no cost to gain access to the ENERGY STAR label and other marketing tools.

  • ENERGY STAR Appliance Recycling Campaign
    ENERGY STAR offers information about properly recycling older electric products to remove them from the electric grid, conserve resources, and make room for more energy-efficient models.

  • ENERGY STAR Database of Utility Rebate Programs
    ENERGY STAR publishes this online "Database for Incentives for Joint Marketing Exchange," for appliance manufacturers, retailers, utilities, and state energy offices to find opportunities to join with other organizations to market ENERGY STAR appliances.

  • Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency
    Find a comprehensive list of incentives in your state (plus Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands).

  • Federal Tax Credits for Energy Efficiency
    ENERGY STAR publishes this online listing of federal tax credits for consumers and homeowners for purchasing energy efficient equipment and installing small renewable energy systems on their homes.