PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — United States Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm visited Rhode Island on Tuesday to help launch the state’s home energy rebate program. Governor Dan McKee joined Granholm at a Providence home to highlight how the program could help income-eligible families save big on their electric bills. “The cost for electricity in Rhode Island is historically high, considering the rest of the country,” McKee said. “But what the secretary is bringing to the table is going to help people lower their energy costs.” The Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources has received over $31 million from the U.S. Department of Energy to fund the multi-year program. Granholm said the initiative, which involves installing energy-efficient appliances, should make a major difference when coupled with the state’s weatherization assistance program. “What we want to do is to emphasize that these two programs fit together,” Granholm said. “So if you have your home weatherized and you get appliances on top of it that make you energy efficient, you can save a whole lot of money.” Officials also addressed apprehension toward the development of offshore wind in Southern New England after a turbine was damaged near Nantucket in July. “There are thousands of offshore wind turbines across the world that are up, and accidents are very few,” Granholm said. “One just happened to be in this region, but that is rare.” McKee said offshore wind development made a lot of sense for Rhode Island. “We have a footprint that’s not that large physically, but our backyard is the Atlantic Ocean,” McKee said. “For us to take advantage of that, putting people to work, we’re manufacturing the platforms that are being used up and down the east coast.” Residents can determine if they are eligible for a rebate by signing up for a free home energy audit through their local Community Action Agency, according to officials. The low-income rebate consists of the following: $2,500 for electric wiring $4,000 for electric load service centers $1,840 for ENERGY STAR appliances The moderate-income rebate consists of the following: $1,250 for electric wiring $2,000 for electric load service centers $420 for ENERGY STAR appliances Categories: News, Providence, Rhode Island