The Alabama Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program began this week, offering rebates to Alabamians choosing to replace their older home appliances with more energy-efficient models.
As of now, the program appears to be a relative success.
Within its first day, 36 percent of the funds allocated for the program were already reserved by citizens seeking rebates.
While we are in a recession, it appears people are willing to spend money if they are able to get a bit of help on the bill.
The rebates offered were not for staggering amounts--a new fridge rebate will get you $150, while a new dishwasher rebate will only run to $75.
We applaud the state's efforts to try to decrease the amount of "clunker" appliances out there.
Lowering the amount of power-guzzling antiquated models will help citizens' pocketbooks and the environment, as using less power will mean our fair state's power plants burning less coal.
While the recent Climategate scandal may put a damper on the whole "global warming" movement, we can certainly all agree that fewer pollutants in the air of coal burning is a good thing for everyone in this state.
We should all endeavor to use less energy and find ways to make our homes and apartments more sustainable and environmentally friendly.
However, we do have concerns about the government, both state and federal, continuing to allocate much needed funds for schemes such as this one.
While environmental issues are certainly important, the idea of large government rebate programs that essentially move taxpayer dollars from government to industry, using Joe Taxpayer as a de facto middleman, cause pause.
Programs like this make it seem patriotic to shop; Uncle Sam wants you ... to buy a Kenmore washer/dryer set.
We're all for stimulating the American economy, but we are leery of this rather direct form of governmental intervention in the marketplace.
There are other issues and problems in this country that perhaps deserve the money we're using to buy dishwashers and washing machines.
Alabama faces across the board education cuts in the next fiscal year.
School systems across the state are firing teachers, and even institutes of high learning like Auburn are going through some forced belt-tightening.
We're certain some good will come from this program, and we suppose that is enough to make it worth the expense.
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