Is an energy rebate the best use of our money?

The bearings went out on my 15-year-old washing machine. I bought a new one for $500. The dealer gave me a form to fill out and send to Alliant Energy. He said that since I had purchased an “energy saving” device, Alliant would send me $100, which, I guess, is a reward for using less of the product they sell. Saving energy had nothing to do with me buying a new machine - I just needed to wash my clothes.

So, if this $100 is an expense for Alliant, it will contribute to raising the rates on my electric bill. If this is a government subsidy, it will add to our national debt. The machine was manufactured by General Electric, a large and quite profitable American corporation, that has been slick enough to avoid paying any federal tax on their income. What a system.

Dick Roggensack

Waukon