The Chairmen of House Ways & Means(Rangel, D-NY15) and Senate Finance (Baucus, D-MT) apparently have agreed on a compromise "energy tax" bill that would extend the wind production tax credit through 2012. Now would be a good time to tell your Congressman and Senators, once again, that:
a. Wind energy is not in the national and public interest
b. Subsidizing wind energy with tax breaks is not in the national and public interest
c. You are tired of having tax burden shifted from "wind farm" owners to you.
Please also be aware that another "energy" bill would impose a national 15% RPS.
Glenn Schleede
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Pasted below is a press release of the agreement between Chairmen Rangel and Baucus on the energy tax title. Key provisions of the bill include:
· Extending the placed-in-service date for the renewable production tax credit (PTC) for 4 years (through 12/31/2012). Includes new category of qualifying facilities that generate waves and tides. Caps the aggregate amount of credits to an amount that has a present value equal to 35% of the facility’s cost (similar to the House Ways and Means provision).
· Extending the 30% investment tax credit for solar property, and includes the removal of the utility exclusion for solar and geothermal property.
· Reducing depreciable lives for smart meters from 20 to 7 years (further details are not yet available on sunset dates or net metering).
· Extending the Transco provision for two years (applies to sales before 1/1/2010).
· Providing $2 billion of tax credits for creation of advanced coal electricity projects and certain gasification projects that demonstrate the greatest potential for carbon capture and sequestration.
· Establishing a new tax credit for individuals that purchase plug-in hybrid vehicles. Base amount of the credit is $3,000 for the individual.
· Extending the tax credit for energy-efficiency improvements to existing homes for one year (through 12/31/08).
· Extending the energy-efficient commercial buildings deduction for five years (through 12/31/2013).
· Extending the credit for residential solar property for six years (through the end of 2014).
We will keep you advised as more details are released.
House Committee on Ways and Means
For Immediate Release:
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Contact:
Carol Guthrie (Baucus) 224-4515
Matthew Beck (Rangel) 225-8933
House, Senate to Consider Energy Tax Legislation
Baucus, Rangel unveil $21 billion package of incentives for renewable energy, capture of carbon emissions, energy efficiency in business and at home
Washington, D.C. – Senate Finance Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) and House Ways and Means Chairman Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.) today unveiled a package of energy tax legislation for consideration by Congress this year. The $21 billion package, on which the House is expected to vote this week, advances the development of advanced electricity infrastructure, contains incentives to mitigate carbon emissions, promotes the production of alternative energy and the security of our domestic fuel supply, supports the use of alternative vehicles, and encourages energy savings and efficiency. Its cost is fully offset.
"Our country needs to make a big turn in terms of energy policy, and this tax package will help to steer the ship. This legislation will help America to use more carefully the resources we have today, and to balance our energy incentives toward the fuels of tomorrow," said Baucus. "An economically strong, globally competitive future for America just won’t run on the fuels of the past. It’s high time to focus our energy efforts on sources that will be available and affordable for Americans decades from now. And it’s appropriate to pay for these new energy incentives by closing loopholes in our current energy tax policy. I am sure the Senate will have a robust debate on some provisions of this important legislation, but I expect that we will all work together to see it passed."
"This legislation helps ensure that our tax code is a partner in moving our energy policies into the 21st century," said Rangel. "By creating and expanding incentives for the use and production of renewable energy and conservation, we help break our dependence on foreign oil and promote America’s energy independence. Investments in cutting-edge renewable energy technologies will also help keep American manufacturers and producers at the forefront of technological developments internationally."
Key provisions in the Clean Renewable Energy and Conservation Tax Act of 2007 include:
1) Long-term extensions of tax credits for renewable electricity
2) Tax credits for carbon capture and sequestration demonstration projects
3) Tax credits for production of biofuels, including cellulosic ethanol
4) Tax credit bonds for renewable energy and conservation
5) Extensions of energy efficiency tax incentives
The package also includes revenue-raising provisions affecting the oil and gas industry. However, the provisions have been designed to prevent any retroactive effect on the industry and to avoid negative impacts on production that may generate increased consumer prices. The main oil-and-gas-related provisions repeal the domestic manufacturing incentive for the top five integrated producers while freezing the deduction at 6% for all others in the sector. The Act also tightens rules governing the payment of taxes by oil and gas producers on foreign-earned income.
The package was developed in close consultation with Senate Energy Committee Chairman Jeff Bingaman, who is also a member of the Finance panel.
Click here to view a summary of the Clean Renewable Energy and Conservation Tax Act of 2007
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