According to Yahoo Finance, President Obama proposed the program today, saying it would reimburse homeowners for energy-efficient appliances and insulation. And Steve Nadel, director of the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, said "a homeowner could receive up to $12,000 in rebates." The initiative would be rolled out as a part of Obama's stimulus plan, and it's a fantastic idea. Investing money in making energy efficient improvements is one of the smartest, easiest most effective ways to reduce energy consumption, save money, and cut back on carbon emissions--both on individual and national levels.
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Consumers might be eligible for a 50% rebate on both the price of the equipment and the installation, up to $12,000, said Nadel. So far, there is no income restriction on who is eligible. That would mean a household could spend as much as $24,000 on upgrades and get half back. Homes that take full advantage of the program could see their energy bills drop as much as 20%, he said. The program is expected to cost in the $10 billion range.
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2009/12/ob... ..........also
Cash for Caulkers could mean $12K per home
By Steve Hargreaves, CNNMoney.com staff writer
On 6:24 pm EST, Tuesday December 8, 2009
President Obama proposed a new program Tuesday that would reimburse homeowners for energy-efficient appliances and insulation, part of a broader plan to stimulate the economy.
The administration didn't provide immediate details, but said it would work with Congress on crafting legislation. Steve Nadel, director at the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, who's helping write the bill, said a homeowner could receive up to $12,000 in rebates.
The proposal is part of the President's larger spending plan, which also includes money for small businesses, renewable energy manufacturing, and infrastructure.
We know energy efficiency "creates jobs, saves money for families, and reduces the pollution that threatens our environment," Obama said. "With additional resources, in areas like advanced manufacturing of wind turbines and solar panels, for instance, we can help turn good ideas into good private-sector jobs."
The program contains two parts: money for homeowners for efficiency projects, and money for companies in the renewable energy and efficiency space.
The plan will likely create a new program where private contractors conduct home energy audits, buy the necessary gear and install it, according to a staffer on the Senate Energy Committee and Nadel at the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy.
Big-ticket items like air conditioners, heating systems, washing machines, refrigerators, windows and insulation would likely be covered, Nadel said.
Consumers might be eligible for a 50% rebate on both the price of the equipment and the installation, up to $12,000, said Nadel. So far, there is no income restriction on who is eligible. That would mean a household could spend as much as $24,000 on upgrades and get half back.
Homes that take full advantage of the program could see their energy bills drop as much as 20%, he said. The program is expected to cost in the $10 billion range.
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Cash-for-Cau... 
