The U.S. territory of Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) will offer a rebate program this spring to help residents replace older, inefficient appliances with energy-efficient appliances.

The territory will offer instant rebates toward the purchase of Energy Star-qualified appliances. The program is tentatively scheduled to begin in April 2010.

Residents must apply in-person for rebate vouchers at the CNMI Energy Division Office before making a purchase from a participating retailer. The program will end when funds are depleted.

Eligible appliances include:

• Refrigerators - $300
• Clothes washers - $300
• Room air conditioners - $150

Consumers are required to provide proof of proper recycling of replaced appliances.

The program is one of 56 State Energy-Efficient Appliance Rebate Programs, popularly known as Cash for Appliances, that are being set up in the United States and six U.S. territories with the help of federal stimulus money.

CNMI will receive about $100,000 of the nearly $300 million in stimulus funding available nationwide from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

For more information on the Cash for Appliances program, visit the CNMI Energy Division Web site or call 670-664-4480.