[OKC] FW: PLS FWD: Oklahoma Solar and wind tax credits!

[Jennifer Gooden]

I was asked to pass this along to any of you interested in renewable
energy incentives.
 
Jennifer Gooden
Program Coordinator
Homeless Alliance
 

	
	
	
	evergreen associates
	sustainable consulting, design and project management
	
	4.27.07
	
	Friends,
	
	There is an emergency!
	
	Oklahoma House and Senate bill 1387 if implemented would provide
a 40% tax credit to encourage the installation of solar and wind energy
systems in Oklahoma!
	
	The bill has passed the house and the Oklahoma State Senate and
awaits going to a conference committee. However, State Senator Mike
Mazzei, who represents Senate district 25 in Tulsa, has voted against
this bill in the past and may have the power to stop the bill. There
have also been discussions of weakening the bill, as well as possibly
removing solar from the bill because it is "not feasable". (Germany is
ahead of schedule to get 25 % of its power from solar and wind by 2020,
but in Oklahoma it's not feasable?)
	
	It will take a groundswell of  support to keep HB1387 from being
gutted or eliminated in conference committee...Could you take a few
minutes and call or write Senator Mazzei's office encouraging him to not
oppose final passage of HB1387, which has already been overwhelmingly
approved by both the House and Senate? His office number is
405-521-5675, his email is mazzei at oksenate.gov
	
	Of course enlisting support of other State Senators and
Representatives  is a very good idea ... You can find yours at: 
	
http://ok.gov/launch.php?url=http://www.capitolconnect.com/oklahoma/defa
ult.aspx 
	Provisions of HB 1387

	*	Provides a 40% state tax credit for the installation of
wind systems or solar systems for homes, farms, and businesses. The
systems can't be larger than 100 kW. 
	*	Exempts small wind systems and solar systems from State
sales tax 
	*	Tax credits take effect January 2007 and run through
2011 (no qualifying installations are expected prior to enactment) 
	*	The credits can be carried-forward for up to ten years,
but are not transferable.

	Talking Points:
	
	

	*	These credits passed both the Senate and the House last
year, as HB 2512, but didn't make the cut in final consideration of the
tax measures during the special session. 
	*	Fostering a market for small scale renewables in
Oklahoma responds to strong public support for clean energy and energy
security 
	*	A number of States offer grants, rebates, or tax credits
for solar and wind systems. Some as high as 60% of the costs (NY & NJ). 
	*	Oklahoma offered 35% tax credits in the early 1980's.
They expired in 1985. 
	*	The 40% level is designed to be high enough to encourage
sales, but not so high that it becomes a tax shelter. Consumers will
still pay 60%. 
	*	The typical cost of a wind system for a 2,500 ft total
electric home is $45,000. The payback period is over 20 years. There is
great potential for cost reductions with volume manufacturing. 
	*	HB 1387 passed the House on a vote of 86 to 11. The
senate approved it 33-13 
	*	These credits passed both the Senate and the House last
year, as HB 2512, but didn't make the cut in final consideration of the
tax measures during the special session. 
	*	Projected fiscal impacts are $260K in FY'08 and $680K in
FY'09 
	*	Oklahoma has provided tax credits for large-scale wind
projects since 2002, even though these products are not manufactured in
Oklahoma. This has been successful and has encouraged $750 million in
projects 
	*	Oklahoma companies involved in small wind and solar
businesses are buying from over 250 Oklahoma vendors in 33 Senate
Districts and 53 House Districts 
	*	Oklahoma hosts America's leading manufacturer of small
wind systems, but they have no market in Oklahoma. 
	*	Oklahoma offered 35% tax credits in the early 1980's.
They expired in 1985.

	Thanks for every thing you do to make this state and planet a
better place.
	
	Sincerely,
	
	James Johnson
	evergreen associates
	evergreenworld at sbcglobal.net
	918.583.5238
	


-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.sustainableokc.org/pipermail/okc-sustainableokc.org/attachments/20070430/a013ac60/attachment.htm>