Energy Awareness Month
Thanh -- October 7th, 2008
October is Energy Awareness Month. Governor Timothy Kaine announced that Virginia’s second annual sales tax holiday on energy efficient products will take place October 10-13, 2008.
During this tax holiday, Virginians will be exempt from paying sales tax on ENERGY STAR and WaterSense qualified products that cost $2,500 or less. These products include energy efficient products such as compact fluorescent light bulbs, ceiling fans, clothes washers, dehumidifiers, dishwashers, programmable thermostats, refrigerators and room air conditioners, and water efficient products such as certain toilets and faucets.
(hburgnews post from last year.)
It’s nice to have a sales tax holiday on these items, but I have to wonder. If the state government truly feels energy efficiency is that important, why don’t legislators pass a sales tax moratorium on these items year-round?
Gimmicks don’t work unless applied sporadically. On a more serious note, why not make these energy efficient appliances tax deductible like my water heater was?
The City could provide some incentive for citizens to “become greener.” Perhaps a redemption on property taxes? Provide proof of making your home meet a specific rating criteria from someone like The US Green Building Council and get a one-time $500 break on your property taxes.
It would be good planning for us to implement these changes now before Harrisonburg grows so large that the high demand on our water and electric infrastructure cripples our system. Are we not the City with the Planned Future?
Brian
Great idea. I’d like to see a discount on new home sewer/water/electric hookup for homes that pass some sort of rigid accreditation for conservation. Granted, ankle deep into a recession is usually a good time to avoid increasing anything with the word incentive in it.