Second Appliance Rebate Program A Big Success

By Steve Murphy, NewsRadio 830 WCCO

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Round two of Minnesota's cash-for-appliances program was a big success. The Minnesota Department of Commerce reports that 4,100 reservations were accepted for rebates of up to $200 for qualifying energy-efficient refrigerators, freezers, washing machines and dishwashers.

The agency opened up its phones to accept requests at 7 a.m. this morning and filled up its inventory by 10:50 a.m. Applicants also submitted requests at their website, www.mnappliancerebate.com.

"This second round was a pretty big success", said spokesperson Nicole Garrison-Sprenger. "Minnesotans love their rebates."

The department is still welcoming applicants for a waiting list in the event that some rebates go unclaimed in the future. Last spring, the Trade-In and Save Program distributed more than 22,000 rebates in the first round.