From the Editor
Whew — that was a close one. Those involved in the alternative energy industry have been biting their nails on the edge of their seats, waiting to see if Congress would extend expiring incentives for alternative-energy installations originally set forth in 2009’s stimulus package. These incentives were set to expire Dec. 31st, 2010.

But last Friday, President Obama signed into law the $858 billion Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010 (otherwise known as the “tax law”). Provisions of the new law extend for one year the Section 1603 Treasury Grant Program – which provide grants worth as much as 30 percent of the cost of solar installations.

Many in the renewable energy industry breathed a sigh of relief. Failure to extend this incentive could’ve been a serious blow to an industry growing rapidly. And while a one-year extension seems like a modest victory, industry experts say one year will provide the time they need to work out a more permanent solution.

The year-to-year rebate or tax-incentive solution is not a good solution long-term because it deters venture capitalists and other investors from risking money in renewable start-ups that depend on these incentives to make their products competitive with dirty energy. It also prevents facility managers and owners from planning long-term renewable projects since they aren’t sure whether incentives will still be there in 2012.

Still, the extension is a victory nonetheless. Since the credit was first implemented, the solar industry says it has created more than 100,000 jobs and $18 billion in investment.

As always, I’m hoping to hear from you – do you have renewable-energy projects on the drawing board that can move forward now because of the extension?
Cheers,

Greg Zimmerman, editor  

Green Strategies
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In the News
President Obama Signs Tax Bill Into Law, Renewable Incentives Extended
The $858 bill tax bill extends by one year the tax credits and rebate incentives for renewable energy.

Green Multimedia
EPAct Tax Benefits for Green Buildings
Charles Goulding, president of Energy Tax Savers, explains how facility managers can take advantages of tax incentives for upgrades to HVAC, exteriors and lighting.  

GreenTech Conference & Exposition

An Introduction to LEED-EB

This GreenTech presentation by Jim Newman of the Newman Consulting Group delves into the LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations and Maintenance rating system and provides facility managers tips and tricks on how to achieve many of the individual credits.