Federal tax credits for installation of small wind systems proposed

[jpak]

http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/ViewPost/20923

Small wind turbine systems for residential and small business installations are getting their first federal support since 1985 with the introduction of federal investment tax credit bills in both houses of Congress.

Bill H.R.1772 has just been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives in a Congressional move that began March 14 with the introduction of Senate bill S.673.

Getting bipartisan sponsorship, these bills are aimed at helping property owners, farmers and other small businesses with the high up-front cost required to install these systems across the nation.

In explaining the importance of the Senate bill introduced by Senators Ken Salazar (D-CO) and Gordon Smith (R-OR), Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) told the Tehachapi News, “This is a good proposal, and I support it. The fight to reduce greenhouse gas emissions will require many solutions in many areas. The time has come to build a new energy infrastructure and wind power will be a cornerstone of that portfolio.”

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[RufusEarl]

1. Very good news!

[jwirr]

2. Hallelujah!

[GliderGuider]

3. Something to keep an eye on when installing residential wind power

The story is from Canada, but this sort of gotcha could spring up anywhere.

Farm windmill generates tax puzzle

Assessment agency looking to finance ministry for answers on renewable-energy technologies and property tax increases

The Municipal Property Assessment Corp., a non-profit organization responsible for assessing municipal property taxes in Ontario, has asked the finance ministry to clarify rules that could prove a major setback for renewable energy projects in the province.

At issue is whether wind turbines and solar panels add enough value to a property to trigger an increase in annual property taxes. The concern is that the tax increase would offset energy savings or the revenues from clean electricity sold into the grid, reducing the incentive to embrace renewable-energy technologies.

The uncertainty was raised last month when Guelph-area resident Max Woschnigg was told that the 80-kilowatt, 40-metre high wind turbine he installed on his farm in December had increased his property's assessed value by $59,000.

"I came back from holidays and had a note to call them back, and that's what they told me," Woschnigg, a 74-year-old retiree, told the Star.

"I was quite upset."

Woschnigg purchased the turbine from Holland and installed it at a cost of $160,000. The electricity produced from the turbine, more than double what he uses, is fed back into the grid under the government's net-metering program and saves Woschnigg an average of $3,600 a year.

He said the increase in property value, and anticipated property tax hike, would likely erase a lion's share of his energy savings.

Oops.

[jpak]

4. Oops - not

In most US states, solar and wind systems are exempt from property tax assessments.

http://calseia.org/news/general/property-tax-exemption.html

http://www.co.ulster.ny.us/realproperty/exemptions.html#Solar

http://www.illinoisrealtor.org/iar/buy_sell/financing/incentive.html#enviro

NJ's solar tax exemption was not renewed in 1988 but will be reinstated soon..(Assembly Bill 1882)...

[GliderGuider]

5. Good. We need some clarification on the issue up here.