COUNTY BOARD APPROVES SALES TAX EXEMPTION
FOR RESIDENTIAL SOLAR POWER SYSTEMS
Legislation Intended to Boost the Use of Renewable Energy
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 28, 2007
Contact: Chris Crane, Committee Counsel, Tel: (914) 995-2104
“The sun is free, and the county’s not going to take advantage of anybody's right to use it," said County Legislator Tom Abinanti (D-I-WF, Greenburgh), Chair of the Environment and Energy Committee. Abinanti's comment followed the County Board's approval at its November 26th meeting of legislation that, effective March 1, 2008, exempts the sale, installation and use of residential solar energy systems from the county's portion of the sales tax.
This initiative adds yet another incentive to the wide array of monetary incentives in place to boost the use of renewable energy by encouraging residents to heat and light their homes using solar power. Using solar power reduces harmful emissions and improves general air quality and is considered a great way to help reduce global warming.
Legislation co-sponsor, County Legislator Marty Rogowsky (D-I-WF, Harrison) explained the rationale behind the exemption. "Like our recent parking fee waiver to encourage hybrid vehicles, this legislation shows how the county can facilitate environmentally-friendly practices," Rogowsky said. "This small measure is a big step to enabling solar energy use by homeowners."
Legislation Committee Chair Vito Pinto (D-I-WF, Tuckahoe) said that the members of the Legislation Committee reviewed the proposal and gave the initiative its total support. "It’s a pleasure to support initiatives such as these that help the environment," said Pinto.
Pushed forward by the Environment Committee, the legislation stems from a 2005 New York State law exempting solar systems from the state's sales tax and which authorized counties to opt into doing the same thing. In addition to an exemption from the state sales tax, New York State offers a real property tax exemption as well as an income tax credit for the use of a solar energy option.
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