Friday, December 15, 2017

USA: Tax Credits for Geothermal Power Left Out of Final Bill

Republicans include BEAT fix, drop nuclear credits in final tax bill (Utility Dive)

Tax credits for “orphan” resources including geothermal power, also excluded from a wind and solar incentive deal in 2015, could be passed in a separate extenders bill early next year.

Congressional Republicans on Friday released the text of a tax proposal that includes incentives for electric vehicles and wind power, as well as a fix to the so-called BEAT provision critical to renewable energy. Nuclear tax credits, however, were excluded from the bill.

A host of other tax credits for resources like fuel cells, geothermal power, microturbines, and combined heat and power plants were left out of the final bill. These “orphan” resources, also excluded from a wind and solar incentive deal in 2015, could be passed in a separate extenders bill early next year, said Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) this week.

"What I have received is an indication of a very clear desire to resolve the extenders," she said.

Republicans aim to pass the legislation, a combination of bills passed by the House and Senate, by a Dec. 22 deadline to fund the federal government.