Twin Falls Times, Thursday, February 26,
2009
The House tax
committee agreed Thursday to introduce three bills that would encourage
energy efficiency. Two bills, sponsored by Sen. Elliot Werk,
D-Boise, would grant a property tax exemption to renewable energy devices
or machines used on residential or non-residential property. Each
provisions would sunset in 10 years to allow for a legislative
review. Another bill, sponsored by Rep. Wendy Jaquet,
D-Ketchum, would expand a 2007 exemption that allowed wind and geothermal
energy producers to pay a kilowatt production tax instead of property tax.
The bill expands the legislation to include biomass, low-impact hydro,
solar energy and landfill gas power. The three bills would not have an
impact on the state’s general fund, according to the lawmakers.
