---
kind: "section"
citation: "42 U.S.C. § 15821"
title: "42"
title_heading: "The Public Health and Welfare"
number: "15821"
heading: "Energy efficient appliance rebate programs"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/42/15821"
units:
  - "Chapter 149 — National Energy Policy and Programs"
  - "Subchapter I — Energy Efficiency"
  - "Part B — Energy Assistance and State Programs"
---

# §15821. Energy efficient appliance rebate programs

- (a) **Definitions—** In this section:
  - (1) **Eligible State—** The term “eligible [State](/usc/42/15951.md?p=b-2)” means a [State](/usc/42/15951.md?p=b-2) that meets the requirements of [subsection (b)](#b).
  - (2) **Energy Star program—** The term “Energy Star program” means the program established by [section 6294a of this title](/usc/42/6294a.md).
  - (3) **Residential Energy Star product—** The term “residential Energy Star product” means a product for a residence that is rated for energy efficiency under the Energy Star program.
  - (4) **State energy office—** The term “[State](/usc/42/15951.md?p=b-2) energy office” means the [State agency](/usc/42/300s–3.md?p=12) responsible for developing [State](/usc/42/15951.md?p=b-2) energy conservation plans under [section 6322 of this title](/usc/42/6322.md).
  - (5) **State program—** The term “[State](/usc/42/15951.md?p=b-2) program” means a [State](/usc/42/15951.md?p=b-2) energy efficient appliance rebate program described in [subsection (b)(1)](#b-1).
- (b) **Eligible States—** A [State](/usc/42/15951.md?p=b-2) shall be eligible to receive an [allocation](/usc/42/2021b.md?p=2) under [subsection (c)](#c) if the [State](/usc/42/15951.md?p=b-2)—
  - (1) establishes (or has established) a [State](/usc/42/15951.md?p=b-2) energy efficient appliance rebate program to provide rebates to residential consumers for the purchase of residential Energy Star products, or products with improved energy efficiency in cold climates, to replace used appliances of the same type;
  - (2) submits an application for the [allocation](/usc/42/2021b.md?p=2) at such time, in such form, and containing such information as the [Secretary](/usc/42/15801.md?p=4) may require; and
  - (3) provides assurances satisfactory to the [Secretary](/usc/42/15801.md?p=4) that the [State](/usc/42/15951.md?p=b-2) will use the [allocation](/usc/42/2021b.md?p=2) to supplement, but not supplant, funds made available to carry out the [State](/usc/42/15951.md?p=b-2) program.
- (c) **Amount of allocations—**
  - (1) **In general—** Subject to [paragraph (2)](#c-2), for each fiscal year, the [Secretary](/usc/42/15801.md?p=4) shall allocate to the [State](/usc/42/15951.md?p=b-2) energy office of each eligible [State](/usc/42/15951.md?p=b-2) to carry out [subsection (d)](#d) an amount equal to the product obtained by multiplying the amount made available under [subsection (f)](#f) for the fiscal year by the ratio that the population of the [State](/usc/42/15951.md?p=b-2) in the most recent calendar year for which data are available bears to the total population of all eligible [States](/usc/42/15951.md?p=b-2) in that calendar year.
  - (2) **Minimum allocations—** For each fiscal year, the amounts allocated under this subsection shall be adjusted proportionately so that no eligible [State](/usc/42/15951.md?p=b-2) is allocated a sum that is less than an amount determined by the [Secretary](/usc/42/15801.md?p=4).
- (d) **Use of allocated funds—** The [allocation](/usc/42/2021b.md?p=2) to a [State](/usc/42/15951.md?p=b-2) energy office under [subsection (c)](#c) may be used to pay up to 50 percent of the cost of establishing and carrying out a [State](/usc/42/15951.md?p=b-2) program.
- (e) **Issuance of rebates—** Rebates may be provided to residential consumers that meet the requirements of the [State](/usc/42/15951.md?p=b-2) program. The amount of a rebate shall be determined by the [State](/usc/42/15951.md?p=b-2) energy office, taking into consideration—
  - (1) the amount of the [allocation](/usc/42/2021b.md?p=2) to the [State](/usc/42/15951.md?p=b-2) energy office under [subsection (c)](#c);
  - (2) the amount of any Federal or [State](/usc/42/15951.md?p=b-2) tax incentive available for the purchase of the residential Energy Star product or product with improved energy efficiency in a cold climate; and
  - (3) the difference between the cost of the residential Energy Star product or product with improved energy efficiency in a cold climate and the cost of an appliance that is not a residential Energy Star product or product with improved energy efficiency in a cold climate, but is of the same type as, and is the nearest capacity, performance, and other relevant characteristics (as determined by the [State](/usc/42/15951.md?p=b-2) energy office) to, the residential Energy Star product or product with improved energy efficiency in a cold climate.
- (f) **Authorization of appropriations—** There are authorized to be appropriated to the [Secretary](/usc/42/15801.md?p=4) to carry out this section $50,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2006 through 2010.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 109–58, title I, § 124, Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 617; Pub. L. 110–140, title III, § 315(b), Dec. 19, 2007, 121 Stat. 1572.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

2007—Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 110–140, § 315(b)(1), inserted “, or products with improved energy efficiency in cold climates,” after “residential Energy Star products”.

Subsec. (e)(2), (3). Pub. L. 110–140, § 315(b)(2), inserted “or product with improved energy efficiency in a cold climate” after “residential Energy Star product” wherever appearing.

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date of 2007 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 110–140 effective on the date that is 1 day after Dec. 19, 2007, see section 1601 of Pub. L. 110–140, set out as an Effective Date note under section 1824 of Title 2, The Congress.