Date Oct. 2, 2008-RICHMOND – Governor Timothy M. Kaine today announced that Virginia’s second annual sales tax holiday on energy efficient products will take place October 10-13, 2008.
RICHMOND – Governor Timothy M. Kaine today announced that Virginia’s second annual sales tax holiday on energy efficient products will take place October 10-13, 2008. During this year’s holiday, high-efficiency products with ENERGY STAR or WaterSense certification will be exempt from sales tax. The 2008 holiday follows national Energy Conservation Awareness Week, October 6-10.
“Virginians are finding simple ways to reduce their energy consumption and use energy more efficiently,� said Governor Kaine. “The first goal of the Virginia Energy Plan is to expand conservation and efficiency in Virginia, and I am pleased to give consumers another opportunity to save money and conserve resources through the purchase of ENERGY STAR and WaterSense high-efficiency products.�
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.
Last year, Virginians saved an estimated $166,000 during the tax holiday. In addition to savings at the point of purchase, Virginians with ENERGY STAR and WaterSense products will realize long term savings through reduced utility costs.
“Clean water is a precious commodity and must also be used wisely,� said Commerce and Trade Secretary Patrick Gottschalk. “We are pleased to add WaterSense-qualified products to our sales tax holiday this year.�
Governor Kaine also encouraged all Virginians to learn more about energy conservation by visiting the Energy Star website at www.energystar.gov and taking the Energy Star pledge. The pledge is part of the Environmental Protection Agency’s “Change the World, Start with ENERGY STAR� campaign, encouraging small, individual actions to help combat global warming and wasteful energy consumption.
Participating in the pledge can be as simple as purchasing compact fluorescent light bulbs to replace less energy-efficient incandescent bulbs, or purchasing other Energy Star-rated products. More than 46,000 Virginians have taken the pledge resulting in the prevention of 81.5 million pounds of greenhouse gases, savings of $5.9 million in energy costs and 52.5 million kilowatt hours.
More information on the holiday, including a list of qualifying products, is available from the Virginia Department of Taxation.
