WHO: The Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources, Energy Efficiency Division
WHAT: Workers at the Division of Energy Efficiency were to administer $6.2 million in stimulus money for a program that allowed consumers to trade in old appliances for more energy-efficient ones. Angry citizens were unable to get through to the division’s jammed phone lines and crashed Web site before the rebate money was quickly depleted.
WHY IT’S AN OUTRAGE: The Energy Efficiency Division has since sent out an e-mail warning employees that if they took advantage of the rebate, they could be in legal trouble, leading many people to believe state employees helped themselves to the money they were supposed to dole out. A Division of Energy Efficiency spokesman has said they’ve made no effort to find out if employees abused the system.
WHERE TO VENT: Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources at 617-626-7350.
