HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Communications Office
Room 609 Legislative Office Building
Atlanta, Georgia 30334
404.656.0305
1.877.222.2768

Representative Jon Burns (R-Newington), a member of the Georgia House of Representatives Agriculture & Consumer Affairs Committee would like to remind his constituents to take advantage of the sales tax exemption holiday provided for in recently passed House Bill 559.  The exemption will take place from October 6-9, 2005, in honor of October being national Energy Awareness Month.

Products exempted by this legislation are manufactured by Energy Star, a program introduced by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 1992 as a voluntary labeling program designed to identify and promote energy-efficient products, in order to reduce carbon monoxide emissions and consume less electricity and water. Some of the products manufactured by Energy Star included in the exemption include dishwashers, washing machines, ceiling fans, air conditioners, light bulbs, fluorescent bulbs, dehumidifiers, programmable thermostats and refrigerators. Their dishwashers allow consumers to save up to 7,000 gallons of water per year!

“I’d like to encourage people in need of appliances to go out and buy them next weekend, this is a wonderful opportunity to not only save money but save energy as well.  During a time when we are trying to save energy in whatever ways possible, this is a vitally important event,” Representative Burns remarked. 

This legislation will not only enable consumers to receive instant savings on the purchase of these products during the holiday, but will also help them save money on utility bills over time while protecting the environment through less energy and water usage.

To find out more about Energy Star Products, visit www.energystar.gov .

Jenee Burke

404-656-0305 jenee.burk@house.ga.gov