Archive for "May 2013"

Conservative US shoppers turned off by eco-friendly lightbulbs, study finds

May 22, 2013

Conservative US shoppers turned off by eco-friendly lightbulbs, study finds Consumer research finds conservative shoppers avoid purchasing an item associated with protecting the environment In 2011 Republicans in Congress fought hard to repeal a law phasing out incandescent bulbs. Photograph: Ruben Sprich/Reuters Eco-friendly labels on energy-saving bulbs are a turn-off for conservative shoppers, a new study […]

To tax or not to tax hybrid cars

May 20, 2013

McLEAN, Va. — John Kraus has a new Toyota Prius V hybrid wagon that he’s very fond of. He’s also got a new Virginia tax on it that he’s none too happy about. Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell, a Republican, signed a new law last month that lowers the gas tax for everyone, but slaps a […]

Fashion goes the way of food: organic

May 16, 2013

America’s closets are turning green.   The same environmental sensibilities that have swept the foodie world (farm-to-table, organic produce) are making inroads in the fashion universe as the environmental movement continues its rise and new technology produces refined synthetic and recycled materials. For example: • Last month, Saks and Neiman Marcus settled a lawsuit charging […]

Bill would assess electric-car mileage fee

May 6, 2013

TRENTON, N.J. — Drivers who buy an electric car to beat the price of gasoline won’t beat the tax man if one New Jersey lawmaker has his way. The state senator wants to tax electric cars by the mile to pay for road maintenance. But the proposal has a catch: As it’s written, electric car owners would […]