Business briefs

Energy Star sales tax holiday begins West Virginians who buyenergy-saving home appliances and building materials during the nextthree months will get a tax break. The Energy Star sales tax holidaybegan Tuesday and runs through Nov. 31. The holiday applies towardall noncommercial purchases of Energy Star products worth up to$5,000. State officials estimate that the sales tax holiday willsave consumers $3.9 million. A limited, weeklong holiday last yearsaved consumers around $350,000.

Group opposes support of rally MORGANTOWN The Center forBiological Diversity is calling on Verizon Wireless to drop itssponsorship of a Friends of America Rally and free concert organizedlargely by the coal industry. Director Kieran Suckling says thecenter will also inform 250,000 supporters that Verizon promotesglobal warming and opposes unions, environmentalists and endangeredspecies. Company spokesman James Gerace says Verizon was placed onthe sponsors list after it paid a fee to support the community andgain access to the event to sell its products. He says Verizonsappearance is not a statement of the companys policy on any publicissue. The Labor Day rally is intended to focus attention on theneed to protect American jobs and is expected to draw at least70,000 people.

W.Va. among states touting federal funds BILOXI, Miss. Transportation officials from across the Southeast say federalstimulus funds have allowed them to create and preserve roadconstruction jobs during the slumping economy. They spoke at a newsconference Tuesday during a meeting of the Southeastern Associationof State Highway and Transportation Officials. SASHTOs 12 memberstates are to receive over $7 billion in stimulus funding forhighways and bridges. Dan Flowers, executive director of ArkansasState Highway and Transportation Department, says his state hasawarded $162 million for 69 projects. Paul A. Mattox, secretary ofthe West Virginia Department of Transportation, says his state has$148 million in projects under contract.