| Offices : Beckley • Charleston • Fairmont • Martinsburg • Washington, DC | E-mail Senator Rockefeller |
October 26, 2009
ROCKEFELLER AND U.S. COMMERCE SECRETARY GARY LOCKE ATTEND MAJOR JOBS EVENT AT SIMONTON WINDOWS
~ Energy tax credit, seasonal demand, and market share increases helped Simonton rehire more than 260 workers at WV plants~
Charleston, W.Va. – Senator Jay Rockefeller joined U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke, Gov. Joe Manchin, Simonton President Mark Savan, Simonton staff, and local officials on Friday to celebrate Simonton’s recent rehiring of more than 260 workers at their West Virginia plants in Ellenboro, Pennsboro and Harrisville. The rehiring is thanks in part to the energy tax credit that was part of this year’s American Recovery & Reinvestment Act (ARRA).
“Simonton’s story is uplifting,” said Senator Rockefeller. “Here is an example of economic recovery and stimulus bill success. This is real growth that puts good people back to work.
“It was my pleasure and honor to join U.S. Commerce Secretary Locke and all of the wonderful workers of Simonton in celebrating their fantastic news. Because of Simonton’s dedicated workers, I know the company has a bright future and West Virginians will have the chance to help write Simonton’s next exciting chapter.”
Background:
On February 17, President Obama signed into law the American Recovery and Reinvestment Tax Act of 2009. Known as the economic stimulus package, the law extends and modifies the tax credits for windows, doors, and skylights established in the Energy Policy Act of 2005. Rockefeller fought to boost the credit from 10 to 30 percent and succeeded.
Qualifying products purchased between January 1, 2009, and December 31, 2010, are eligible for a tax credit equal to 30 percent of the product cost. The maximum amount of homeowner credit for all improvements combined (including roofing, insulation, HVAC, and water heaters) is $1,500 during 2009 and 2010.
Rockefeller also recently introduced bipartisan legislation with Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) in the Senate that would make it easier for consumers to take advantage of a tax break in the stimulus package intended to encourage the purchase and manufacture of energy-efficient doors, windows and skylights.
The legislation changes the eligibility standard from a one-size-fits-all standard to the recently released new Energy Star standard, which takes into account regional weather differences. The Energy Star standard is widely recognized and a change in the incentive will ensure that consumers can easily determine if their windows will qualify for the expanded tax credit.
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