Glendening Signs Clean Energy Incentive Act

Maryland Governor Parris Glendening today signed the nation’s first law to provide tax incentives for individuals and businesses that purchase or invest in clean energy. The Maryland Clean Energy Act eliminates the Maryland sales tax on ENERGY STAR compliant appliances, high efficiency heating and air-conditioning equipment, and fuel cells. It provides titling tax reductions for the purchase of electric or gas-electric hybrid vehicles, and it provides income tax credits for the purchase and installation of solar energy equipment, wind generated power production and sales, and biomass combustion.

“Maryland residents taking advantage of energy efficient technologies will save over $8 million a year over the four-year life of the Clean Energy Act,” said Michael Replogle, transportation director at Environmental Defense. “The law will reduce cost barriers that can frustrate the adoption of new technologies - technologies that will be key to protecting Maryland’s environment and public health.”

The Clean Energy Act will

• Suspend Maryland’s 5 percent sales tax on appliances carrying the ENERGY STAR