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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Cherelle Parker |
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Parker’s bill to encourage energy conservation passes Pa. House
HARRISBURG, Oct. 22 – Legislation introduced by state Rep. Cherelle Parker, D-Phila., that would promote energy independence and conservation by encouraging residents in Pennsylvania to purchase certain ENERGY STAR appliances through the creation of a sales tax holiday passed the House today.
Parker said her measure (S.S.H.B. 11), which was introduced as part of the state’s Special Session on Energy, would encourage consumers to buy energy-efficient products by waiving the state sales tax on those products during a specified time. Through this incentive, Parker said, consumers could receive a break on the up-front cost of appliances that, in the long run, would help save money and reduce the state’s dependence on oil from the Middle East.
“By eliminating the sales tax on ENERGY STAR appliances during a special sales tax holiday, we will be creating an incentive for people to do their part to conserve energy and reduce their energy costs,” Parker said. “These products are built to use less energy and be more efficient, which is a win-win for the people of Pennsylvania. Not only do they help reduce our energy consumption, but they also will help us save money on our electric bills.”
Parker said this is vitally important especially since the rate caps on how much energy companies can charge for power in Pennsylvania are set to be lifted in 2010. Estimates show that once these caps come off, utility bills may skyrocket for consumers throughout the Commonwealth.
“This is a major concern because some of the counties that have already lifted their rate caps are already witnessing huge increases in their utility costs,” Parker said. “For example, Pike County in Northeastern Pennsylvania saw a major increase in prices – around a 73 percent jump. If we can encourage citizens to start conserving energy and allow them a financial break on appliances that are more efficient, we may be able to curb the potential crippling increases in utility bills.”
Parker said that, with the help of ENERGY STAR, Americans prevented 37 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions in 2006 alone, equivalent to the annual emissions from 25 million vehicles, and saved more than $14 billion on their utility bills. They also saved a significant amount of energy in 2006, more than 170 billion kilowatt hours, or almost 5 percent of total 2006 electricity demand. In addition, ENERGY STAR appliances helped to avoid more than 35,000 megawatts of peak power, equivalent to the generation capacity of more than 70 new power plants.
ENERGY STAR is a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy. It helps residents save money and protect the environment through energy-efficient products and practices.
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CONTACT: Bill Thomas |