As Tax Day approaches, consumers see that high energy prices add to their tax burden. But energy-efficiency steps from the Alliance to Save Energy ease the pain. The Alliance also has a package of energy-efficiency legislative proposals.

Washington, D.C., April 11 - Consumers who are busily completing their Form 1040s to meet this Friday's "Tax Day" filing deadline can confirm the observation of Treasury Secretary John Snow that "higher energy prices act like a tax. They reduce the disposable income people have available for other things after they've paid their energy bills."

That statement hits home as taxpayers review their 2004 income and expenditures and see that last year's high energy costs, which continue in 2005, drained their pocketbooks, leaving less money for other necessities.

Consumers can find "tax relief" on the Alliance to Save Energy's new consumer website, (www.ase.org/section/_audience/consumers/energybilltips/), which offers a broad range of tips to lower energy bills at home and on the road without sacrifice or deprivation.

The Alliance also has recommended that Congress adopt an energy-efficiency legislative package, Vision 2010, that would significantly reduce the growth in U.S. energy use by 2010 (www.ase.org/content/article/detail/2097).

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The Alliance to Save Energy is a coalition of prominent business, government, environmental, and consumer leaders who promote the efficient and clean use of energy worldwide to benefit consumers, the environment, economy, and national security.