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Home Energy Magazine Online September/October 2000

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Maryland Promotes Energy Star

As if the thought of reduced energy bills weren't enough to entice consumers to buy energy-efficient appliances, Maryland Governor Parris Glendening recently gilded the lily by signing the Maryland Clean Energy Incentive Act. The act cancels the 5% state sales tax on purchases of Energy Star-qualified refrigerators, clothes washers, and room air conditioners. It also cancels the tax on purchases of certain types of heating and cooling equipment and fuel cells, allows income tax credits for some solar-energy equipment, and reinstates the tax credit for electric vehicles. But Maryland residents will have to hold off on buying their new appliances to take advantage of the tax break, except for new washing machines. The law's provisions apply to washing machines purchased on or after July 1, 2000; room air conditioners purchased on or after January 1, 2001; and refrigerators purchased after July 1, 2001.

--Valerie Fahey

Valerie Fahey is managing editor of Home Energy.

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