Alliance to Save Energy Urges VA Consumers to Reap Multiple Benefits of State's First ENERGY STAR Tax Holiday
Virginians Save on Energy-Efficient Products October 5- 8
Washington, D.C., September 2007 – The Alliance to Save Energy is urging consumers in the state of Virginia to take advantage of the state’s first-ever sales tax holiday on ENERGY STAR products next month.
“Virginia’s inaugural ENERGY STAR tax holiday allows consumers to save money on an immediate basis by saving the local and state sales taxes on ENERGY STAR products costing up to $2,500,” explained Alliance President Kateri Callahan. “They also will save in the long run with lower home energy bills,” she added.
The tax holiday runs from Friday, October 5, through Monday, October 8, and applies to ENERGY STAR qualified products such as compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs), ceiling fans, clothes washers, dehumidifiers, dishwashers, programmable thermostats*, refrigerators, and room air conditioners.
“The Virginia ENERGY STAR sales tax holiday is Virginia’s first step in increasing energy-efficiency practices among Virginians while attempting to meet our goal of reducing energy use by 40 percent by 2017, as outlined in the new Virginia Energy Plan,” said Governor Timothy M. Kaine. “Efforts are being made to expand our educational efforts to help consumers have the information needed to make smart decisions about how they use energy. I believe the sales tax holiday will accomplish that.”
“October is Energy Awareness Month, and ENERGY STAR is the federal government’s symbol of energy efficiency,” Callahan continued. “The ENERGY STAR can be found on more than 50 different categories of energy-using products, from major appliances to home electronics and office equipment (www.energystar.gov). These energy-sipping products not only save consumers up to 30 percent on their related electricity bills, they also benefit our nation’s energy security and environment by extending our domestic energy supplies while decreasing pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.”
Said Executive Director Benjamin Taube of the Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance (SEEA) – whose goal is to dramatically decrease the region’s energy use through increased energy efficiency: “SEEA commends Virginia for being among the first southeastern states to institute an ENERGY STAR tax holiday. As a SEEA member, the state of Virginia is making a valuable contribution towards increased awareness of energy-efficiency throughout the Southeast.”
The Alliance also urged Virginians to participate in the U.S. Department of Energy’s Change a Light Campaign, a national challenge encouraging U.S. consumers to take simple actions at home to help preserve our energy resources and reduce the risks of global climate change. At the center of the campaign is the Change a Light Pledge, which asks consumers to commit to replacing at least one bulb in their home with an ENERGY STAR qualified alternative. The 2007-2008 campaign kicks off on October 3.
The Alliance notes that ENERGY STAR qualified lighting products use at least 2/3 less energy than standard incandescent bulbs to provide the same amount of light – and last up to 10 times longer.
In addition, the Alliance urged consumers to take advantage of federal tax credits for energy-efficient home improvements such as ENERGY STAR windows and insulation and sealing products. The tax credits are available for improvements made through December 31, 2007.
* Update: The ENERGY STAR specification for programmable thermostats was suspended as of Dec. 31, 2009. This means programmable thermostats no longer carry the ENERGY STAR label.
