Governor Kaine Promotes Virginia's Inaugural Energy Sales Tax Holiday
– Consumers save on energy-efficient products October 5-8 –
RICHMOND – Governor Timothy M. Kaine today urged consumers to take advantage of Virginia's first-ever sales tax holiday on ENERGY STAR products, between October 5-8, while touring a home that recently made significant weatherization and energy-efficiency improvements.
"The Virginia ENERGY STAR sales tax holiday is an important step in increasing energy-efficiency practices among Virginians," said Governor Kaine. "We want to expand our educational efforts to help consumers have the information needed to make smart decisions about how they use energy. This sales-tax holiday will help Virginians save money, conserve energy and protect the outdoors."
The inaugural tax holiday runs from Friday, October 5, through Monday, October 8. Consumers will save money immediately by not paying local and state sales taxes on ENERGY STAR products costing up to $2,500. Additional long-term savings will occur through lower home energy bills.
ENERGY STAR qualified products include items such as compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs), ceiling fans, clothes washers, dehumidifiers, dishwashers, programmable thermostats, refrigerators, and room air conditioners.
Governor Kaine joined Richmond homeowner Jacqueline Payne and Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) Director Bill Shelton to see recent weatherization and energy-efficient improvements made to her home. Changes included repairs to an inefficient heating and cooling system, attic and water heater insulation, air-sealing of the crawl space, weather-stripping and installation of compact fluorescent light bulbs. Such weatherization improvements typically can save a homeowner an average $300 to $400 a year on utility costs.
"With assistance from the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, the U.S. Department of Energy and local partners, DHCD's Weatherization Program provides almost $10 million a year to reduce utility costs for low-income households and makes housing costs more affordable," said Shelton. "This program provides critical weatherization assistance to over 1,600 Virginia households each year."
In September 2007, Governor Kaine released the Virginia Energy Plan to promote the Commonwealth's energy independence and to educate consumers on energy conservation and efficiency. The Plan sets a goal of reducing the rate of growth in energy use by 40 percent, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 30 percent, and seeks to increase in-state energy production by 20 percent. The Plan also calls for expanded consumer energy education, and capitalizes on areas where Virginia has strategic advantages for economic development and research and development.
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