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The legislature in the US Pacific Northwest state of Oregon is considering two tax credit bills introduced in March. Senate Bill 520 would extend a residential tax credit of $3 USD per watt up to $1,500; this law has been on the books since 1979 but will disappear by the end of the year unless reauthorized. A vote is expected in mid-May. Christopher Dymond, energy analyst at the Oregon Office of Energy, says that despite a state budgetary crisis, he thinks the bill, which has already gone through the revenue committee, has a better than 50 percent chance of passage. »Given the power constraints in the Northwest right now, I'd be pretty surprised if it doesn't get through somehow or another.« A second measure, Senate Bill 521, would amend the tax code to extend a credit, currently available for businesses adding or expanding renewable energy systems, to installations on public buildings that improve energy efficiency by at least 10 percent. The legislation would provide a credit on 35 percent of the system cost, spread out over five years. »Suddenly, it opens up schools, municipal buildings, and other public entities to the credit,« says Dymond. The proposal, which has gone through committee hearings, will probably reach a vote in May. William
P. Hirshman
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