01/08/2013 Advisory group offers rebate program changes By CHUCK CLEMENT, Staff Reporter The city commissioners approved a proposal from Madison's electric advisory committee to expand the city's rebate program for electric utility customers. Jeff Heinemeyer, an administrative aide to the committee, met on Monday with the Madison City Commission to review the advisory committee's proposals that came out of its Dec. 13 meeting. Ann Hyland of Heartland Consumers Power District presented the changes to the company's rebate program for 2013. The city partners with HCPD in operating the rebate program. HCPD officials approved rebates for conversions to LED lighting for commercial customers, offering $15 for a 10-watt or less lamp that replaces an incandescent or halogen bulb. The LED rebate increases to $20 for lamps rated at more than 10 watts. Heartland officials also expanded the rebate options for residential customers, offering $200 rebates for the installation of heat pumps or central-air conditioners and $600 rebates for the installation of geothermal heating systems. Utility customers would need to install the new heating and cooling systems in existing residential settings, not in new construction. The city commissioners also approved reappointing Brad Franken, Randy Hoffman, Jerry Johnson, John Knofczynski, and Dustin Williams as committee members. Madison Commissioner Dick Ericsson and Dennis Poppen, city electric superintendent, were also appointed as nonvoting members of the group.

©Madison Daily Leader 2013