Congressman Gary Ackerman's Press Release
Contact: Jordan Goldes Phone (718) 423-2154 Fax (718) 423-5591 http://www.house.gov/ackerman
April 22, 2008  
On Earth Day, Ackerman and Local Public and Private Sectors
Announce Numerous Green Initiatives for Queens & Long Island

(Washington, DC) - The Fifth Congressional District is going green! U.S. Rep. Gary Ackerman (D-Queens/L.I.) today – on Earth Day – held a press conference at Alley Pond Park in Bayside to announce his Green District Initiative, a series of undertakings designed to help protect the environment throughout his Queens-Long Island district.

These undertakings include several cooperative initiatives by Ackerman, local community groups, government offices, major institutions and prominent businesses including some of the biggest and best known organizations in the region. Many joined Ackerman at today’s announcement. Plans include adopting energy efficient technologies and increasing the usage of renewable energy sources.

“The environmental challenges facing our planet are daunting, but I believe the place to begin meeting those challenges is right here at home” said Ackerman. “Taking better care of the environment in our community is a shared responsibility, one that includes all of us. It is time that we all make the necessary changes that allow our local neighborhoods to deal with the environmental crisis facing the Earth.”

On the federal government level, Ackerman unveiled a plan to institute a major recycling program for his district office building in Bayside. These include the recycling of paper, plastic and glass. Plans also call for using less paper by sending more correspondence via e-mail and printing items on double sided paper (such as this press packet). 

The Congressman is also exploring the use of energy-efficient fluorescent lighting paired with motion detectors that will automatically turn off lights in empty rooms. These initiatives will not only reduce energy consumption and carbon output, but they will also decrease energy bills and save taxpayer’s money. 

Ackerman also announced two pieces of legislation significant to preserving the environment. Ackerman plans to introduce both bills later today when he returns to Washington.

The first measure would expand a law recently enacted by Congress that requires automobile manufacturers to increase the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standard to 35 miles per gallon in all vehicle models by the year 2020. Although this new law affects all automobiles sold in the United States, the legislation did not adjust mileage standards for the federal government’s sizeable automobile fleet, which currently stands at an abysmal 18 miles per gallon.

Ackerman’s legislation would increase the CAFE standards for the government’s fleet of light-duty vehicles to 40 miles per gallon within the next seven years. The legislation would have a major impact on preserving the environment since the federal government is the largest single buyer of vehicles in the world.

The Congressman’s second legislative measure encourages all states to implement bottle deposit laws. The bill would direct the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to grant preference to states with bottle deposit laws when distributing funds for air quality grants. The legislation would encourage more states to follow the lead of New York, whose bottle law requires a 5-cent refundable deposit on beverages sold in glass and plastic bottles. The increased recycling of plastic and glass bottles encouraged by the legislation would have a significant impact on the environment nationwide.

In addition, Ackerman has compiled a chart (see attachment) detailing substantial tax credits and financial incentives that the federal government has approved in an effort to help the public decrease their carbon footprints. These tax breaks and financial incentives include substantial savings for individuals and families that purchase and install energy efficient items in their homes, purchase or lease energy efficient or alternative fuel automobiles or make the types of small changes in their daily lives that will have a substantial impact on protecting the environment. 

In an effort to encourage his district to become the greenest in the country, Ackerman will this afternoon send the chart to his constituents so that they will be able to take advantage of these valuable offers as they make the transition to green living.

Among the organizations that joined Ackerman for today’s announcement were the New York Mets, Queens College, Nassau County Police Department, North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System, U.S. Postal Service, Citizen’s Campaign for the Environment, Nassau County Museum of Art, United States Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, Creedmoor Psychiatric Center, Great Neck Arts Center and the Government Services Administration (GSA). Several area residents attended as well.


SUMMARY OF TAX CREDITS FOR HOMEOWNERS AND BUSINESSES

Product Category

Product Type

Tax Credit Specification

Tax Credit

Notes

Windows & Doors

Exterior Windows and Skylights

ENERGY STAR qualified OR meets IECC*

10% of cost, up to $200 for all windows, skylights and storm windows

All ENERGY STAR labeled windows and skylights qualify for tax credit.

Use IRS Form 5695

Storm Windows

Meets IECC* in combination with the exterior window over which it is installed, for the applicable climate zone

10% of cost, up to $200 for all windows, skylights and storm windows

  For tax purposes, save your  receipt and the Manufacturer's Certification Statement.

  Use IRS Form 5695

Exterior Doors

Meets IECC*

10% of cost, up to $500

For tax purposes, save your receipt and the Manufacturer's Certification Statement.

Use IRS Form 5695

Storm Doors

In combination with a wood door assigned a default U-factor by the IECC*, and does not exceed the default U-factor requirement assigned to such combination by the IECC*

10% of cost, up to $500

Eligibility will be confirmed by manufacturer and documented in the Manufacturer Certification Statement

For tax purposes, save your receipt and the Manufacturer's Certification Statement.

Use IRS Form 5695

Roofing

Metal Roofs

ENERGY STAR qualified

10% of cost, up to $500

All ENERGY STAR labeled metal roofs qualify for the tax credit.

Must be expected to last 5 years OR have a 2 year warranty.

For tax purposes, save your receipt and the Manufacturer's Certification Statement.

Use IRS Form 5695

Insulation

Insulation

Meets 2000 IECC* & Amendments

10% of cost, up to $500

For insulation to qualify, its primary purpose must be to insulate. 

Must be expected to last 5 years OR have a 2 year warranty

For tax purposes, save your receipt and the Manufacturer's Certification Statement.

Use IRS Form 5695

HVAC

Central A/C

Split Systems:
EER >=12.5
SEER >= 15

Package systems:
EER >= 12
SEER >= 14

$300

Note — not all ENERGY STAR products will qualify for the tax credit. Visit

For tax purposes, save your receipt and the Manufacturer's Certification Statement.

Use IRS Form 5695

www.energystar.gov for a list of eligible products.

Air Source Heat Pumps

HSPF >= 9
EER >= 13
SEER >= 15

$300

Note — not all ENERGY STAR products will qualify for the tax credit. Visit

For tax purposes, save your receipt and the Manufacturer's Certification Statement.

Use IRS Form 5695

www.energystar.gov for a list of eligible products.

Geo-Thermal Heat Pump

Same criteria as ENERGY STAR:

Closed Loop:
EER >= 14.1
COP >= 3.3

Open Loop:
EER >= 16.2
COP >= 3.6

Direct Expansion:
EER >= 15
COP >= 3.5

$300

All ENERGY STAR labeled geo-thermal heat pumps qualify for the tax credit.

For tax purposes, save your receipt and the Manufacturer's Certification Statement.

Use IRS Form 5695

Gas, Oil, Propane Furnace or Hot Water Boiler

Furnaces:
AFUE >= 95

Boiler:
AFUE >= 95

$150

Note — not all ENERGY STAR products will qualify for the tax credit. Visit

For tax purposes, save your receipt and the Manufacturer’s Certification Statement.

Use IRS Form 5695

www.energystar.gov for a list of eligible products.

Advanced Main Air Circulating Fan

No more than 2% of furnace total energy use

$50

For tax purposes, save your receipt and the Manufacturer's Certification Statement.

Use IRS Form 5695

 

Water Heaters

Gas, Oil, Propane Water Heater

Energy Factor >= 0.80

$300

Only some tankless water heaters currently qualify. Visit

For tax purposes, save your receipt and the Manufacturer’s Certification Statement.

Use IRS Form 5695

www.energystar.gov for a list of eligible products.

Electric Heat Pump Water Heater

Energy Factor >= 2.0

$300

For tax purposes, save your receipt and the Manufacturer's Certification Statement.

Use IRS Form 5695

Cars

Cars

Hybrid gasoline-electric, diesel, battery-electric, alternative fuel, and fuel cell vehicles

Based on a formula determined by vehicle weight, technology, and fuel economy compared to base year models

There is a 60,000 vehicle limit per manufacturer per year before a phase-out period begins. Consumers who buy from companies that already sell large numbers of qualifying vehicles will experience a relatively short "window of opportunity" for the credits.

Use IRS Form 8910 for hybrid vehicles purchased for personal use.

Use IRS Form 3800 for hybrid vehicles purchased for business purposes.

Solar Energy Systems

Solar Water Heating

At least half of the energy generated by the "qualifying property" must come from the sun. Homeowners may only claim spending on the solar water heating system property, not the entire water heating system of the household.

The credit is not available for expenses for swimming pools or hot tubs.

The water must be used in the dwelling.

The system must be certified by the Solar Rating and Certification Corporation (SRCC).

30% of cost, up to $2,000

Use IRS Form 5695

Photovoltaic Systems

Photovoltaic systems must provide electricity for the residence, and must meet applicable fire and electrical code requirement.

30% of cost, up to $2,000

Use IRS Form 5695

Fuel Cells

Fuel Cells

Efficiency of at least 30% and must have a capacity of at least 0.5 kW.

30% of the cost, up to $1000 per kW of power that can be produced

Use IRS Form 5695

 

*IECC: International Energy Conservation Code. Products that meet IECC will disclose their IECC compliance.

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CONGRESSMAN Gary Ackerman 2243 RAYBURN BUILDING WASHINGTON,DC 20515 www.house.gov/ackerman