Green Jersey

New bill: Buy green, save sales tax

Energy Star air conditioner image via HaierAmerica.com.

A new bill could save New Jerseyans money on energy-efficient lights and appliances.

The bill, sponsored in the Assembly by Democratic Assemblywoman Pamela Lampitt and in the Senate by Republican Sen. Bill Baroni, would eliminate the 7 percent sales tax on Energy Star products.

Why? “To promote energy efficiency in a time of increasing energy costs,” in the language of the bill. To qualify, products — Energy Star-labeled compact fluorescent light bulbs and residential light fixtures, ceiling fans, clothes washers, dehumidifiers, dishwashers, refrigerators and freezers, room air conditioners and room air cleaners — must be sold for residential use.

Baroni told the Associated Press he knows of no other state with a permanent tax exemption on “green” products. If it goes through, he said the state would become a hub for environmental buying. Hopefully, the people who trek here from far away to buy stuff will take mass transit.

Gov. Corzine hasn’t yet taken a position on the proposal.