LIPA Announces “Cash for Clunkers” Refrigerator Replacement, Removal and
Recycling Program
LIPA poised to become first utility in New York State to offer customers a
rebate plus free takeaway of old energy-wasting refrigerators
Uniondale, NY— The Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) announced plans for a
new Refrigerator Replacement, Removal, and Recycling program (LIPA’s 4Rs
Program) aimed at promoting the elimination of old, inefficient, energy guzzling
refrigerators for residential customers.
LIPA’s version of the popular “cash for clunkers" automobile program
reaffirms the utility’s commitment to helping customers reduce their electric
usage and making Long Island more energy-efficient. Currently, LIPA residential
customers can take advantage of a $75 rebate when purchasing a select
standard-size ENERGY STAR® refrigerator larger than 7.5 cubic feet through
September. The rebate program will restart with the launch of LIPA’s
Refrigerator Replacement, Removal, and Recycling program, which will not only
continue to provide this incentive, saving the customer money on the cost and
operation of the refrigerator, but now will also award LIPA customers with an
additional rebate worth approximately $30 to help them remove and properly
dispose and recycle the old appliance in an environmentally responsible manner.
It is LIPA’s hope that most of the old inefficient refrigerators will by
recycled through LIPA’s program rather than being placed in the garage or
basement of LIPA customer homes, which is the predominant practice.
President and CEO, Kevin Law said, “I am pleased and proud that the
Refrigerator Replacement, Removal, and Recycling program will assist our
customers in lowering their own energy use thereby saving them real dollars,
while enhancing recycling opportunities, reducing the waste stream, reducing our
carbon footprint and protecting our environment.”
In most households, the refrigerator is the single highest energy-consuming
kitchen appliance. New ENERGY STAR qualified refrigerators are 40% more
efficient than models sold in 2001. In fact, savings in energy costs may be as
much as $100 per year if you replace a model that is currently in use for 13
years or more. That’s about $1,500 in savings over the expected life of a new
ENERGY STAR refrigerator.
"Sustainable Long Island applauds LIPA for the launch of their Refrigerator,
Replacement, Removal and Recycling Program. This is a model program that will
help individual customers reduce their costs while promoting energy efficiency
and environmental health. Especially now, in these rough times that have
magnified the problems we Long Islanders face, it is critical that we work
together to alleviate some of the pressures on families in a way that creates a
more sustainable region," said Sarah Lansdale, Executive Director of Sustainable
Long Island
“Whether it be old cars or old inefficient refrigerators, getting them off
the road and out of the house is good for the environment. This is a great
example of energy efficiency and recycling working together to reduce costs,
save the environment, and help the public. Out with the old, in with the new.
LIPA’s Cash for Clunkers ensures old refrigerators are properly recycled; not
plugged-in the basement or garage waiting for the holiday tray of ziti,” stated
Adrienne Esposito, Executive Director, Citizens Campaign for the Environment.
"A bounty for clunker refrigerators gives people an incentive not only to
upgrade to a higher efficiency appliance, but most importantly, to get the
energy-wasting clunker refrigerator out of service and properly recycled," said
Neal Lewis, executive director of the Sustainability Institute at Molloy
College.
The Refrigerator Replacement, Removal, and Recycling program, which will
begin later this year as LIPA procures a vendor to dispose of the old
refrigerators, is part of LIPA’s Efficiency Long Island (ELI) initiative.
Efficiency Long Island is a 10-year, $924 million energy efficiency program
launched this year, which offers a wide array of incentives, rebates and
initiatives to LIPA’s residential and commercial customers to assist them in
reducing their energy usage and thereby lowering their bills.
To learn more about LIPA’s energy efficiency programs, visit our Web site at
http://www.lipower.org/efficiency/. |
