Federal Clean Energy Issues
In addition to our efforts on the local front, Utah Clean Energy is actively engaged on federal energy policy and regulatory issues throughout the year.
From protecting the Clean Air Act to advocating for federal clean energy funding, we engage on issues to protect our air, land and health. It is critical that concerned citizens like you stay informed and engaged on these issues. Utah Clean Energy provides this forum to inform you on federal policies that affect our clean energy future, and ways you can take action to advance these important clean energy issues.
Public Tax Credit (PTC) Extension
The PTC is a tax incentive that helps keep electricity rates low and encourages development of proven renewable energy projects.
Utah Clean Energy is grateful to the countless individuals and businesses that reach out to Utah’s Congressmen and Senators regarding the extension of the Production Tax Credit (PTC) for renewable energy technologies. As a result of your efforts, Utah’s delegates are more informed of the importance of the PTC and supportive of its extension.
Unfortunately, the PTC was not included in the payroll extension bill in February and is still slated to expire at the end of 2012. Despite this loss, the efforts to extend the PTC will continue, and the broader national PTC coalition is in the process of developing a new strategy and next steps. I will be in touch and will continue to keep you informed of any subsequent efforts to support this critical clean energy policy.
Please stay tuned as we continue to work on this important policy effort, and thank you for all your support and involvement; your voice truly makes a difference and helps educate our lawmakers about the importance of clean energy to our economy, our environment, and our energy security – your call for clean energy helps them understand what voters want, so thank you for taking action!
Lawmakers pledge to keep pressing for PTC extension
A bipartisan group of lawmakers is optimistic that an extension of the renewable-energy Production Tax Credit will be included in upcoming legislation, after it was left out in the payroll tax package. "There's very strong support for it, and we still have time to deal with it," said Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Calif. "That means circling our wagons and going back to work with our people and taking this back in to leadership and seeing what they might be open to," Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa added. Politico (Washington, D.C.) (2/21)
Comments on Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE)
On the matter of Property Assessed Clean Energy, the Federal District Court in Oakland, CA found that the FHFA violated the federal Administrative Procedures Act, and the court ordered FHFA to post an "advanced notice of proposed rulemaking." The clock has turned back, and there is a new opportunity to weigh in on the FHFA decision - the FHFA has issued a public notice in the Federal Register of their intent to propose a rule on PACE and the public has 60 days to comment and provide their perspectives on PACE. The full take action alert is available here. Comments are due March 26, 2012. Check the Federal Register Notice and PaceNow for more resources.
