Lake Country Power encourages co-op members to respond to appliance rebate program

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Grand Rapids, MN - The window of opportunity could be very short for consumers interested in Minnesota's upcoming "Trade-in & Save" Appliance Program. That possibility is why Lake Country Power urges cooperative members to take notice of the program early and be ready to make a rebate reservation early in March when the program begins.

Some call the state's program the appliance version of cash for clunkers. The Trade-in & Save program is part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and will offer more than 25,000 Minnesota homeowners a rebate for replacing their old appliance with a qualifying ENERGY STAR model purchased from a Minnesota retailer. The program is only valid for one month, March 1 - 31.

Minnesota has budgeted $5 million for its appliance program. Rebates are available on a first-come, first-served basis and will go fast. Homeowners are limited to just one of the following rebates:

* Clothes washer: $200

* Dishwasher: $150

* Refrigerator: $200

* Freezer: $100

In order to make a rebate reservation, log on to www.mnappliancerebate.com beginning March 1. Once your reservation is made, you'll have 30 days to purchase, recycle and submit the rebate application or the reservation will terminate. Proof of "demanufacturing," or recycling, is required to earn 100 percent of the rebate on the freezer and refrigerator appliances. The proof can be signed by any party picking up an appliance who certifies that the appliance will be taken off the grid and turned over to an appropriate recycling organization.

After co-op members make a rebate reservation with the state and complete the purchasing requirements, they may also submit a copy of their sales receipt to Lake Country Power for a co-op rebate.

"The goal is energy savings," said Jeff Sheldon, Lake Country Power's manager, energy services and business development. "Consumers benefit through rebates and lower monthly electric bills while utilities count kilowatt-hours saved to meet the state's legislated goal to use less energy."

Lake Country Power, www.lakecountrypower.coop, is a Touchstone Energy(r) cooperative serving parts of eight counties in northeastern Minnesota. The rural electric cooperative provides services to more than 42,000 members and has offices located in Grand Rapids, Kettle River and Mountain Iron.

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