Soaring costs spark 'green' legislation in NJ

[jpak]

http://www.fortmilltimes.com/124/story/230710.html

TON, N.J. — With gas prices hovering at $4 per gallon and the nation in an economic funk, there is no shortage of ideas on how to make New Jersey more energy efficient.

A Republican state senator has proposed waiving New Jersey's 7 percent sales tax on energy-efficient products and appliances like refrigerators, air conditioners and fluorescent light bulbs.

A Democratic senator has instituted a four-day workweek at her legislative office to help staff members save on gasoline.
Other bills provide tax incentives for towns, industry and farms to build renewable energy systems on their properties. Still others mandate more stringent energy standards for new or renovated buildings or require increased energy efficiency in household appliances.

"The energy crisis facing this country and the threat of global warming is an absolute super stimulus to energy efficiency legislation and helping people cope," said Sen. Bob Smith, a Middlesex County Democrat who is sponsoring several green bills that could be taken up by the Legislature this fall.

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