Clean Energy & Efficiency Committee |
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Our Goal
Cleaner, More Affordable, More Efficient Energy Use
Our committee works to help Newton County households, businesses, and local governments transition to cleaner, more affordable energy by expanding access to solar power, supporting home and building electrification, and maximizing energy-efficiency opportunities.
To make these improvements more attainable, we offer advice, coaching, and resources to help residents and organizations take full advantage of federal, state, and private-sector incentives that reduce the cost of solar, electrification, and energy-saving upgrades.
Our committee works to help Newton County households, businesses, and local governments transition to cleaner, more affordable energy by expanding access to solar power, supporting home and building electrification, and maximizing energy-efficiency opportunities.
To make these improvements more attainable, we offer advice, coaching, and resources to help residents and organizations take full advantage of federal, state, and private-sector incentives that reduce the cost of solar, electrification, and energy-saving upgrades.
Federal & State Incentives
The federal Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) signed into law by President Biden in August 2022 included tax credits for all Americans and rebates for low to moderate-income households for certain energy-related home improvements. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act signed by President Trump in July 2025 stipulated that those tax credits expire at the end of 2025. However, states with a signed agreement with the federal government for IRA funding to cover the Home Energy Rebates (HER) and Home Electrification & Appliance Rebates (HEAR) will continue to operate those programs until funds run out.
- Rewiring America's IRA Incentives Calculator provides a personalized list of the rebates and tax credits you qualify for, based on your zip code, household income, and tax filing status.
- Rewiring America's planning tool can help you prioritize electrification projects based on your individual home, lifestyle and priorities.
Both Georgia Energy Rebate programs -- HER & HEAR -- are income-based, meaning the amount of savings you can realize under either program is affected by how your household income compares to the area medium income (AMI) for your county. You can visit the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority's Rebate Eligibility Calculator Tool to find out the maximum savings for which you qualify. Below are facts and figures on the current and potential future impact of the program for Georgians, as well as the recording from a webinar we hosted recently with one of the program's approved contractors.
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Energy Construction Services is one of the state-approved contractors participating in Georgia's HER & HEAR Home Energy Rebate Programs. Download the slide deck here.
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Other ResourcesFor more information on home energy savings opportunities, including Georgia's HER and HEAR rebate programs:
Also check the websites of local utility companies for the latest information on their incentives to encourage customers to take steps to electrify and make their existing homes more energy-efficient. |
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Drawdown Georgia Climate Solution Toolkits
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The folks at Drawdown Georgia recruited experts from around the state to write these step-by-step "how to" guides to help you adopt climate solutions in your home or business. Click on each image to access the guide.
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Where to Start
The US Department of Energy recommends an energy audit as a wise first step to identify the energy efficiency opportunities unique to your home. It can show you the improvements that will provide you the best bang for your buck and also the order in which to pursue those. And a home energy audit is also eligible for a 30% federal tax credit under the Inflation Reduction Act.
In the fall of 2023, Sustainable Newton worked with Energy Consulting Services to offer discounted home energy audits to Newton County homeowners. At the Ray C. Anderson Foundation's RayDay event in October, we asked ECS Operations Manager Shane Matteson to join us to help explain the clean energy and efficiency incentives available to homeowners under the federal Inflation Reduction Act. In three installments, Shane answers the most common questions people have about energy audits:
In the fall of 2023, Sustainable Newton worked with Energy Consulting Services to offer discounted home energy audits to Newton County homeowners. At the Ray C. Anderson Foundation's RayDay event in October, we asked ECS Operations Manager Shane Matteson to join us to help explain the clean energy and efficiency incentives available to homeowners under the federal Inflation Reduction Act. In three installments, Shane answers the most common questions people have about energy audits:
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What Start with an Energy Audit?
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What's Involved?
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What Will I Get?
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Want to Learn More
Sustainable Newton can help educate your civic, business, or church group about clean energy, energy efficiency, and all of the available government and utility company incentives your members may qualify for.
Contact us to arrange a presentation tailored to your group or to receive helpful materials. |
Find out what actions you can take
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Clean Energy & Efficiency Actions You Can Take
Check your eligibility for the HER & HEAR rebates offered through the Georgia Home Energy Rebates program.
If not eligible or not committed to the full HER program, consider paying for a professional home energy audit before making any specific energy upgrades. (Your problems may not be where you think they are.)
Use the Rewiring America Planning Tool to develop a step-by-step energy upgrade plan.
Find out what rebates your utility company offers for clean energy/energy efficiency upgrades.
(Find links for all of these steps above.)
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Our Other Committees:
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