Tax Credit--A Report From AHAM

Manufacturers of home appliances are working with the U.S. government to establish a manufacturer tax credit for the production of super energy-efficient clothes washers and refrigerators.

"The tax credit bills have been introduced in both the House and Senate," said Joseph McGuire, president of AHAM, at press time. "We are hopefulthat Congress will take up the bills with other national energy policy issues, possibly when they focus on energy (issues) in June or July."

The purpose of the tax credit is to accelerate the production and market penetration of the appliance technologies that create significant environmental benefits. The proposed tax credit for super energy-efficient appliances provides a per-unit tax credit for the production of super energy-efficient clothes washing machines and refrigerators from 2002 through 2006.