|
|
Sen. Connie Williams (D-Montgomery/Delaware) During a news conference in the Governor's Reception Room this week, I along with Gov. Ed Rendell discussed a proposal to save consumers money, while at the same time protecting the environment. Today, consumers can choose from a wide array of features on home appliances. These features offer added convenience, but choosing the right feature will allow consumers to not only save on their energy bills, but also to protect the environment. By choosing energy efficient appliances, consumers will accomplish both. Last year, I introduced legislation (SB765) to create a tax holiday on energy efficient appliances sold to Pennsylvania homeowners and I have worked with the governor's office on his Green Sales Tax Holiday proposal. Based on the governor's recommendations, I have amended my original legislation. Governor Rendell praised the amended bill as a representation of how progressive government should work. He believes this incentive will encourage the use of energy efficient appliances and save the taxpayers who cherish their quality of life. Recognizing each personal contribution will make a significant impact. What is energy efficiency? It is delivering the same services for less energy. When we use less energy, we don't have to generate as much energy at power plants, which reduces greenhouse gas emissions, which improves our air quality. This is the perfect time of year to begin discussing the green sales tax holiday proposal, because it coincides with the many home improvement projects, redecorating projects and the start of home construction season. What the governor and I are suggesting is that consumers "thing green" and in the process "save green". The proposal detailed at the news conference will give consumers two week-long holidays from sales tax on the retail sale of certain energy efficient appliances. The holidays would occur the first full calendar week of both December and May, beginning in fiscal year 2004-05, and continuing through fiscal year 2008-09. Appliances that would qualify under the proposal include clothes washers, dehumidifiers, dishwashers, refrigerators, freezers, room air conditioners, ceiling fans, programmable thermostats, ventilating fans, compact fluorescent bulbs and residential light fixtures. As you can see, these are ordinary appliances that any Pennsylvania family will purchase or replace. This proposal would provide consumers with a real cost savings. According to some estimates, the average family spends $1,400 annually on energy bills. Using energy efficient appliances could save families about 30 percent of that bill &endash; or around $400 annually. The Green Sales Tax Holiday proposal is part of current budget discussions. CapNews Guest Speaker: Archives |
