U.S. House bill aims to give Florida residents tax incentives for upgrading to energy-efficient appliances

Bipartisan legislation recently introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives would give Florida families access to more than $346 million in Inflation Reduction Act tax incentives for upgrading their homes with energy efficient appliances and clean energy.

U.S. Rep. Darren Soto (D-FL) led the introduction of the Reforming Energy-Efficient Buildings and Appliances Tax Exemptions (REBATE) Act, H.R. 6536, on Nov. 30, along with four other cosponsors.

The bill, if enacted, would push open the gates for local governments in Florida to receive federal grants for carrying out high-efficiency electric home rebate programs. The legislation also acted as a rebuke to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis for vetoing energy rebates in his state – something the lawmakers denounced as politically motivated and costly to Florida families.

While Florida’s Office of Energy had applied for rebate programs, DeSantis vetoed that element of the state’s budget, leaving $346 million in eligible federal funds to sit. The REBATE Act would essentially cut out the state as middle-man and open the door to local governments instead. 

“I’m proud to introduce the bipartisan REBATE Act to allow Florida families access to programs that provide tax incentives if they transition to clean energy,” Soto said. “We passed the Inflation Reduction Act and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act — both bipartisan measures – to benefit working families and improve our nation for future generations. In Florida, we refuse to let politically-motivated vetoes get in the way of access to these programs.”

Soto was joined in this effort by fellow Florida Democrats U.S. Reps. Kathy Castor, Lois Frankel and Maxwell Alejandro Frost, as well as U.S. Rep. Jennifer González Colón (R-PR-).

“Floridians are being gouged by electric utilities in Florida, and Governor DeSantis’s veto of energy rebates has made it even more expensive for Florida families,” Castor said. “Floridians could enjoy lower energy bills if we can unlock the resources to weatherize homes and purchase energy efficient appliances as the residents of other states are enjoying right now.”