S.76 would extend a tax credit and exemption for manufactured homes bought in South Carolina that reach energy efficiency standards. The credit and exemption are currently set to sunset this year, but this bill would extend the sunset date to 2024. These energy standards are set by the EPA and the US Department of Energy in their “Energy Star” program. The tax credit is $750, and the exemption is for any tax over $300 on the purchase of the home.
There are two problems with this approach. First, creating tax favors for a privileged few increases the burden for the rest, and second, it is not the government’s role to interfere with the natural supply-and-demand of the free market in this way.