Fiscal Cliff Deal Extends/Improves 12 Alt-Energy Credits

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Fiscal Cliff Deal Extends/Improves 12 Alt-Energy Credits

January 2, 2013 By Christopher DeMorro
While most Americans were enjoying the holiday break, Congress was called in for a special session to try and work out a deal to avoid the so-called “fiscal cliff.” A compromise was reached, a deal was passed, and while nobody is particularly happy with the “American Taxpayer Relief Act”, a number of green energy credits were extended for at least another year.
The Senate version of the bill, which was passed by the House and signed by President Obama late last night, includes 12 green energy credits or extensions for the year 2013. In no particular order, these credits are;
  • Credit for energy-efficient existing homes is extended to 31 December 2013.
  • Credit for alternative fuel vehicle refueling property is extended to 31 December 2013.
  • Credit for 2- or 3-wheeled plug-in electric vehicles. In the case of a qualified 2- or 3-wheeled plug-in electric vehicle, up to 10% of the cost of the qualified 2- or 3-wheeled plug-in electric vehicle, or $2,500 may be allowed as a credit.
  • Qualifying 2- or 3-wheel vehicles need a 2.5 kWh pack (down from 4 kWh), are capable of achieving a speed of 45 mph (72 km/h)or greater, and must be acquired after 31 December 2011 and before 1 January 2014.
  • Extension and modification of cellulosic biofuel producer credit. The extension now carries through to qualified production beginning before 1 January 2014. Algae is treated as a qualified feedstock.
  • Additionally, the section strikes the term cellulosic biofuel in favor of “second generation biofuel”.
  • Incentives for biodiesel and renewable diesel are extended to 31 December 2013.
  • Extension of production credit for Indian coal facilities placed in service before 2009 for an 8-year period rather than a 7-year period. The amendment applies to coal produced after 31 December 2012.
  • Extension and modification of credits with respect to facilities producing energy from certain renewable resources. Among other provisions for municipal solid waste, hydro, and biomass facilities, production tax credits for wind facilities are extended to 1 January 2014.
  • Credits for energy-efficient new homes are extended to 31 December 2013.
  • Credits for energy-efficient appliances are extended into 2013.
  • The special allowance for cellulosic biofuel plant property is extended to 1 January 2014. In addition, algae is treated as a qualified feedstock for such.
  • The special rule for sales or dispositions to implement FERC or state electric restructuring policy for qualified electric utilities is extended to 1 January 2014.
  • Alternative fuels excise tax credits are extended to 31 December.
Of special note to green vehicle enthusiasts is the extension of the up-to $2,500 tax credit for electric motorcycles and trikes, as well as the inclusion of algae as a qualified feedstock for biofuel production plants...
(Rest at link above)

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I know better than to believe it but this does sound like they are planning on taking up some major funding plan but these are already in "rider" format so I presume they can be tacked onto later budget funding bills.
We shall see, but these are still far too tepid even in combination with hundreds of other such riders, to address the magnitude of the problems we face due to AGW. They all will provide some coping assistance, but this is not a serious approach to addressing climate-change in a responsible and reasoned manner.
 
Tax credit extension boosts Mass. wind industry




The extension of wind energy tax credits — passed as part of the fiscal cliff deal — includes a key change that will make it easier for wind *developers in Massachusetts and elsewhere to obtain what are viewed as crucial incentives for a burgeoning industry.

In Massachusetts, the tax credits have helped spur new wind development. Last year, for example, at least half a dozen projects — including the largest in the state, the Hoosac wind farm in the towns of Florida and Monroe — doubled the state’s wind energy generated capacity over the last decade to 99 megawatts, or enough to power at least 26,000 homes.

Legislation passed by Congress on Tuesday *extended two programs that support wind development, a growing segment of the energy mix in Massachusetts and the nation as policy makers seek clean energy sources to help combat climate change.

The production tax credit pays eligible projects 2.2 cents per kilowatt hour for the first 10 years of production, making the energy competitive with electricity generated by natural gas. The investment tax credit pays 30 percent of costs for small, community wind farms and offshore wind projects.



Lawmakers tweaked the eligibility requirements so that projects that begin construction in 2013 may apply for the incentives. Previously, projects had to be generating power by year’s end to qualify. That was an uncertain prospect that made it more difficult to attract financing, given the length of time — 18 to 24 months — and complexity of building a wind farm.

The change, state officials and wind energy developers said, should boost development in Massachusetts and elsewhere because it provides investors with the assurance they need to back wind projects.

“The financing community, the banks, need to have some consistency,” said the state’s energy and environmental affairs secretary, Richard K. Sullivan Jr. “They need to know that they’re going to have these credits.”

The language change means Cape Wind will qualify for tax credits, if the controversial 420 megawatt project starts construction in the waters off Cape Cod this year as expected. Project spokesman Mark Rodgers declined to comment on Cape Wind specifically, but said the tax credits’ renewal will help to expand wind energy development — onshore and off.

“The United States can maximize the energy, economic and environmental benefits wind power can provide by expanding onshore wind while also launching a domestic offshore wind industry,” Rodgers said in a statement.

Congress has allowed wind energy tax credits to expire in the past, and each time it has, wind projects have stalled and workers have lost jobs. The American Wind Energy Association, estimated that 37,000 jobs could have been lost this year if Congress had not included the credits in the fiscal cliff deal.
Extension of wind energy credits to boost local industry - Business - The Boston Globe
 
Tax credit extension boosts Mass. wind industry




The extension of wind energy tax credits — passed as part of the fiscal cliff deal — includes a key change that will make it easier for wind *developers in Massachusetts and elsewhere to obtain what are viewed as crucial incentives for a burgeoning industry.

In Massachusetts, the tax credits have helped spur new wind development. Last year, for example, at least half a dozen projects — including the largest in the state, the Hoosac wind farm in the towns of Florida and Monroe — doubled the state’s wind energy generated capacity over the last decade to 99 megawatts, or enough to power at least 26,000 homes.

Legislation passed by Congress on Tuesday *extended two programs that support wind development, a growing segment of the energy mix in Massachusetts and the nation as policy makers seek clean energy sources to help combat climate change.

The production tax credit pays eligible projects 2.2 cents per kilowatt hour for the first 10 years of production, making the energy competitive with electricity generated by natural gas. The investment tax credit pays 30 percent of costs for small, community wind farms and offshore wind projects.



Lawmakers tweaked the eligibility requirements so that projects that begin construction in 2013 may apply for the incentives. Previously, projects had to be generating power by year’s end to qualify. That was an uncertain prospect that made it more difficult to attract financing, given the length of time — 18 to 24 months — and complexity of building a wind farm.

The change, state officials and wind energy developers said, should boost development in Massachusetts and elsewhere because it provides investors with the assurance they need to back wind projects.

“The financing community, the banks, need to have some consistency,” said the state’s energy and environmental affairs secretary, Richard K. Sullivan Jr. “They need to know that they’re going to have these credits.”

The language change means Cape Wind will qualify for tax credits, if the controversial 420 megawatt project starts construction in the waters off Cape Cod this year as expected. Project spokesman Mark Rodgers declined to comment on Cape Wind specifically, but said the tax credits’ renewal will help to expand wind energy development — onshore and off.

“The United States can maximize the energy, economic and environmental benefits wind power can provide by expanding onshore wind while also launching a domestic offshore wind industry,” Rodgers said in a statement.

Congress has allowed wind energy tax credits to expire in the past, and each time it has, wind projects have stalled and workers have lost jobs. The American Wind Energy Association, estimated that 37,000 jobs could have been lost this year if Congress had not included the credits in the fiscal cliff deal.
Extension of wind energy credits to boost local industry - Business - The Boston Globe

Ah, I see. I only read about this section of laws that apply primarily to individuals and municipal facilities. The Wind credit was more a production rider. I wonder if any of the manufacturing and industrial credits survived?
 
In Europe, where the cost is higher, it doesn't. That is why the rich boys owning the generating plants using coal lobbyed their politicians to prevent the less costly electricity from Germany from being sold on their grid.
 
In Europe, where the cost is higher, it doesn't. That is why the rich boys owning the generating plants using coal lobbyed their politicians to prevent the less costly electricity from Germany from being sold on their grid.
Reality seems to disagree with you:

Germany Addresses Problems with Renewable Energy Subsidy System - SPIEGEL ONLINE
Finally, the Renewable Energy Act, while it provides excellent incentives to build wind turbines, does not provide incentives to build the natural gas-fired power plants the country needs to fill the holes with the sun isn't shining and the wind isn't blowing.​
Rather short-sighted of them, don't you think?

Or does the wind blow and the sun shine 24/7 in Germany?
 
So, it really wasn't a bill to forestall fiscal Armageddon, but another opportunity to pork it up for the usual band of plunderers and moochers.

Totally called it.

But of course, and Obama needed more money so he convinced the people the wealthy needs to pay more

Obama could sell them swampland if he said it was going to paradise

horrible man and his followers are all dupes
 
I'd think transporting the coal that makes up half of our energy production would cost a lot of money. You don't have the transport anything with wind power!

Coal energy
-Takes miners=lots of money to mine.
-loaders onto the trains=lots of money
-loaders to load the coal into the coal plants=lots of money


Wind
-It just is
 
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In Europe, where the cost is higher, it doesn't. That is why the rich boys owning the generating plants using coal lobbyed their politicians to prevent the less costly electricity from Germany from being sold on their grid.
Reality seems to disagree with you:

Germany Addresses Problems with Renewable Energy Subsidy System - SPIEGEL ONLINE
Finally, the Renewable Energy Act, while it provides excellent incentives to build wind turbines, does not provide incentives to build the natural gas-fired power plants the country needs to fill the holes with the sun isn't shining and the wind isn't blowing.
Rather short-sighted of them, don't you think?

Or does the wind blow and the sun shine 24/7 in Germany?

With the right mix of renewables, natgas back-up systems are not required.

ScienceDirect.com - Energy Policy - Providing all global energy with wind, water, and solar power, Part I: Technologies, energy resources, quantities and areas of infrastructure, and materials

http://assets.panda.org/downloads/the_energy_report_lowres_111110.pdf

http://www.iea.org/publications/fre...ewablesSolutionsforaLowCarbonEnergyFuture.pdf
 
The fleecing of the American Taxpayers by evil Green Corporations continues...
 
In Europe, where the cost is higher, it doesn't. That is why the rich boys owning the generating plants using coal lobbyed their politicians to prevent the less costly electricity from Germany from being sold on their grid.
Reality seems to disagree with you:

Germany Addresses Problems with Renewable Energy Subsidy System - SPIEGEL ONLINE
Finally, the Renewable Energy Act, while it provides excellent incentives to build wind turbines, does not provide incentives to build the natural gas-fired power plants the country needs to fill the holes with the sun isn't shining and the wind isn't blowing.
Rather short-sighted of them, don't you think?

Or does the wind blow and the sun shine 24/7 in Germany?

With the right mix of renewables, natgas back-up systems are not required.

ScienceDirect.com - Energy Policy - Providing all global energy with wind, water, and solar power, Part I: Technologies, energy resources, quantities and areas of infrastructure, and materials

http://assets.panda.org/downloads/the_energy_report_lowres_111110.pdf

http://www.iea.org/publications/fre...ewablesSolutionsforaLowCarbonEnergyFuture.pdf
Not all renewable sources are available everywhere.
 
Reality seems to disagree with you:

Germany Addresses Problems with Renewable Energy Subsidy System - SPIEGEL ONLINE
Finally, the Renewable Energy Act, while it provides excellent incentives to build wind turbines, does not provide incentives to build the natural gas-fired power plants the country needs to fill the holes with the sun isn't shining and the wind isn't blowing.
Rather short-sighted of them, don't you think?

Or does the wind blow and the sun shine 24/7 in Germany?

With the right mix of renewables, natgas back-up systems are not required.

ScienceDirect.com - Energy Policy - Providing all global energy with wind, water, and solar power, Part I: Technologies, energy resources, quantities and areas of infrastructure, and materials

http://assets.panda.org/downloads/the_energy_report_lowres_111110.pdf

http://www.iea.org/publications/fre...ewablesSolutionsforaLowCarbonEnergyFuture.pdf
Not all renewable sources are available everywhere.

With a reliable national grid infrastructure, you don't need the full range of sources available in every locality, merely a grid that is capable of accepting local excess generation from available local generation, and from which the local area can draw power when their local generation sources don't meet demand.
 

With a reliable national grid infrastructure, you don't need the full range of sources available in every locality, merely a grid that is capable of accepting local excess generation from available local generation, and from which the local area can draw power when their local generation sources don't meet demand.
German wind power runs at 17% of rated capacity...because that's how much the wind blows.

They're not getting much bang for their buck, are they?

Not having the backup gas plants destabilizes the grid, and an unstable grid is what led Germany's neighbors to install cut-offs at their borders. Why should Poland go dark because Germany was short-sighted?
 

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