PRIOR PRINTER'S NO. 169 PRINTER'S NO. 3548
No. 121 Session of 2003
INTRODUCED BY BARD, HERSHEY, LEVDANSKY, BUNT, HERMAN, RUBLEY, BALDWIN, CREIGHTON, CURRY, DALEY, FAIRCHILD, GEORGE, HORSEY, LEACH, MANN, S. MILLER, MUNDY, PAYNE, ROSS, SATHER, SAYLOR, SCHRODER, SEMMEL, STERN, TANGRETTI, THOMAS, TIGUE, WATSON, WRIGHT, ZUG, YUDICHAK, E. Z. TAYLOR, DeWEESE, REICHLEY, SURRA, ARMSTRONG AND SOLOBAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2003
AS REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES AND ENERGY, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, AS AMENDED, MARCH 24, 2004
AN ACT 1 Authorizing tax credits for qualified alternative fuel <-- 2 producers; establishing the Alternative Fuel and Energy 3 Infrastructure Improvement Fund; and making an appropriation. 1 AUTHORIZING INVESTMENT TAX CREDITS FOR QUALIFIED ALTERNATIVE <-- 2 ENERGY ENTERPRISES; ESTABLISHING THE PENNSYLVANIA CLEAN 3 ENERGY FUND; AND MAKING A TRANSFER OF FUNDS. 4 The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania 5 hereby enacts as follows: 6 Section 1. Short title. <-- 7 This act shall be known and may be cited as the Alternative 8 Fuel and Energy Infrastructure Investment Act. 9 Section 2. Legislative findings. 10 (1) The General Assembly finds that there is an 11 increasing need for the development of renewable and energy- 12 efficient technologies, including wind power, solar thermal 13 electric systems, biomass-based power systems, geothermal 14 energy, biofuels, hydrogen-based energy systems, electric
1 energy systems and storage, photovoltaic energy systems and 2 other new and innovative research-based technologies deemed 3 appropriate. 4 (2) It is the intent of this act to assist in the 5 creation of a balanced portfolio of renewable and energy- 6 efficient technologies while adopting a strategy to fulfill 7 the Commonwealth's long-term needs and goals for both energy 8 and the environment. 9 Section 3. Definitions. 10 The following words and phrases when used in this act shall 11 have the meanings given to them in this section unless the 12 context clearly indicates otherwise: 13 "Alternative fueled hybrid vehicle." A vehicle that uses an 14 alternative fuel to produce electricity, which in turn powers an 15 electric drive motor for vehicle propulsion. 16 "Alternative fuels." A motor vehicle fuel which, when 17 compared to conventional or reformulated gasoline, will result 18 in lower emissions of oxides of nitrogen (NOx), volatile organic 19 compounds (VOC), carbon monoxide (CO), particulates or any 20 combination thereof. These include compressed natural gas (CNG), 21 liquefied natural gas (LNG), liquid petroleum or propane gas 22 (LPG), alcohols, hydrogen, hythane (H2 and CNG), electricity, 23 coal-derived liquid fuels, fuels derived from biological 24 materials, and other fuels that the Secretary of the United 25 States Department of Energy determines by rule as meeting the 26 requirements of section 301 of the Energy Policy Act of 1992 27 (Public Law 102-486, 42 U.S.C. § 13211(2)). 28 "Department." The Department of Community and Economic 29 Development of the Commonwealth. 30 "Fund." The Alternative Fuel and Energy Infrastructure 20030H0121B3548 - 2 -
1 Improvement Fund established under section 9. 2 "Person." An individual, partnership, association, company, 3 corporation, joint venture or other business entity, 4 municipality, municipal authority or political subdivision. 5 "Qualified alternative fuel producer." Any producer of an 6 alternative fuel whose principal place of business and facility 7 for the production of an alternative fuel is located within this 8 Commonwealth. 9 "Qualified business." A partnership, association, company, 10 corporation, joint venture or other business entity qualified 11 pursuant to section 5. 12 "Tax Reform Code of 1971." The act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, 13 No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971. 14 Section 4. Alternative fuel or alternative energy enterprise 15 designation. 16 (a) Establishment.--There is hereby established within the 17 department a program providing for alternative fuel or 18 alternative energy enterprise designation. 19 (b) Authorization.--The department shall designate persons 20 or businesses as alternative fuel or alternative energy 21 enterprises. Persons and businesses that are qualified under 22 this act shall be entitled to all tax exemptions, deductions, 23 abatements or credits set forth in this act for a period not to 24 exceed 15 years beginning January 1, 2003, and ending on or 25 before December 31, 2017. 26 Section 5. Qualified businesses. 27 In order to qualify each year for a tax exemption, deduction, 28 abatement or credit under this act, a business shall meet any 29 one or more of the following criteria: 30 (1) The business is a qualified alternative fuel 20030H0121B3548 - 3 -
1 producer as defined in section 3. 2 (2) The business is actively engaged in the business of 3 generating electricity from alternative energy sources. This 4 shall include the design, manufacture, distribution, 5 operation, servicing or maintenance of alternative energy 6 projects or equipment. The business shall receive 7 certification from the department that it is designated as 8 such and is actively engaged in the alternative energy 9 generation business. 10 (3) The business has invested in pollution control 11 equipment approved by the United States Environmental 12 Protection Agency. 13 (4) The business is a manufacturer of alternative fuel 14 vehicles, including, but not limited to, alternative fueled 15 hybrid vehicles as defined in section 3. 16 (5) The business is actively engaged in the production 17 of alternative fuels, the manufacturing of equipment, 18 products or techniques utilizing alternative fuels or the 19 production of energy-efficient equipment, products or 20 techniques used in the generation of electricity from 21 renewable resources, including, but not limited to, wind 22 power, solar thermal electric systems, biomass-based power 23 systems, geothermal energy, biofuels, hydrogen-based energy 24 systems, electric energy systems and storage and photovoltaic 25 energy systems. 26 Section 6. State taxes. 27 (a) General rule.--A qualified business shall receive the 28 exemptions, deductions, abatements or credits as provided in 29 sections 7 and 8 for the duration of the alternative fuel or 30 alternative energy enterprise designation. Exemptions, 20030H0121B3548 - 4 -
1 deductions, abatements or credits shall expire on the date of 2 expiration of the alternative fuel or alternative energy 3 enterprise designation. 4 (b) Construction.--The Department of Revenue shall 5 administer, construe and enforce the provisions of this section 6 and sections 7 and 8 in conjunction with Articles II, III, IV, 7 VI, VII, IX and XV of the Tax Reform Code of 1971. 8 Section 7. Sales and use tax exemption. 9 (a) Exemption.--Sales at retail of services or tangible 10 personal property, other than motor vehicles, to a qualified 11 business for the exclusive use, consumption and utilization of 12 the tangible personal property or service by the qualified 13 business at its business facility are exempt from the sales and 14 use tax imposed under Article II of the Tax Reform Code of 1971. 15 (b) Electric generation.--Electricity generated by a 16 qualified business at its facility installed after January 1, 17 1999, and sold at retail shall be exempt from the sales and use 18 tax imposed under Article II of the Tax Reform Code of 1971. 19 Section 8. Investment tax credit. 20 (a) Credit.--Any person investing in a qualified business as 21 described in section 5 shall receive a tax credit pursuant to 22 subsection (c) if the department annually approves the written 23 proposal of such person. The proposal shall set forth the 24 investment to be made, including the amount and the qualified 25 business invested in and what the investment is specifically 26 anticipated to be used for, including, but not limited to, the 27 purchase of land, equipment or facilities. 28 (b) Decision in writing.--The decision of the department to 29 approve or disapprove a proposal pursuant to subsection (a) 30 shall be in writing, and, if it approves the proposal, it shall 20030H0121B3548 - 5 -
1 state the maximum credit allowable to the business firm. A copy 2 of the decision of the department shall be transmitted to the 3 Governor and to the Department of Revenue. 4 (c) Grant of investment tax credit.-- 5 (1) The Department of Revenue shall grant a tax credit 6 against any tax due under the Tax Reform Code of 1971 in an 7 amount equal to the total amount invested during the taxable 8 year by the person approved under subsection (a). 9 (2) The tax credit shall equal 1.5 cents for each 10 kilowatt hour of electricity generated and shall not be based 11 upon the amount invested. The investment tax credit provided 12 herein is intended to be in addition to and not a replacement 13 of any Federal production tax credit now existing or 14 hereafter enacted, and the department and the Department of 15 Revenue shall adopt such regulations and take such action as 16 necessary and appropriate to effectuate this intent. 17 (3) No tax credit shall be granted to any bank, bank and 18 trust company, insurance company, trust company, national 19 bank, savings association, mutual savings bank or building 20 and loan association for activities that are a part of its 21 normal course of business. Any tax credit not used in the 22 period the investment was made may be carried over for the 23 next five succeeding calendar or fiscal years until the full 24 credit has been allowed. The total amount of all tax credits 25 allowed pursuant to this act shall not exceed $30,000,000 in 26 any one fiscal year. 27 (d) Regulations.--The department is hereby authorized to 28 promulgate regulations for the approval or disapproval of such 29 proposals and provide a listing of all applications received and 30 their disposition in each fiscal year to the General Assembly by 20030H0121B3548 - 6 -
1 October 1 of the following fiscal year. 2 Section 9. Alternative Fuel and Energy Infrastructure 3 Improvement Fund. 4 (a) Establishment.--There is hereby established a separate 5 fund in the State Treasury to be known as the Alternative Fuel 6 and Energy Infrastructure Improvement Fund. The fund shall be 7 administered by the department. In addition to appropriations 8 approved by the General Assembly, the fund shall include those 9 cost savings realized by the Commonwealth as the result of 10 guaranteed energy savings contracts entered into by Commonwealth 11 agencies as provided for in 62 Pa.C.S. Ch. 37 Subch. E (relating 12 to guaranteed energy savings contracts). 13 (b) Use.--The fund may be used to provide grants to assist a 14 qualified business or a person intending to establish a 15 qualified business with infrastructure improvements, such as 16 access roads or transmission, production facilities, 17 distribution or interconnection facilities, pollution control 18 equipment or for any other purpose approved by the department. 19 The department shall promulgate regulations for the issuance of 20 grants. 21 (c) Proposals.--Any qualified business or person intending 22 to establish a qualified business wishing to obtain a grant 23 shall submit a written proposal for such grant. The department 24 shall promulgate regulations for the submittal and contents of 25 proposals. 26 (d) Decision in writing.--The decision of the department to 27 approve or disapprove a proposal pursuant to subsection (c) 28 shall be in writing, and, if the department approves the 29 proposal, it shall state the maximum amount of the grant. A copy 30 of the decision of the department shall be transmitted to the 20030H0121B3548 - 7 -
1 Governor. 2 (e) Appropriation.--Appropriations to the fund shall not 3 lapse. Sufficient appropriations shall be made annually in order 4 to maintain a minimum balance of $10,000,000. Should annual 5 grant activity exceed the funds available, the General Assembly 6 may supplement the fund to restore it to the full annual 7 appropriation. 8 Section 10. Appropriation. 9 The sum of $10,000,000 is hereby appropriated to the 10 Department of Community and Economic Development for deposit 11 into the Alternative Fuel and Energy Infrastructure Improvement 12 Fund. 13 Section 11. Effective date. 14 This act shall take effect in 60 days. 15 SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. <-- 16 THIS ACT SHALL BE KNOWN AND MAY BE CITED AS THE ALTERNATIVE 17 ENERGY INVESTMENT ACT. 18 SECTION 2. LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS. 19 (1) THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY FINDS THAT THERE IS AN 20 INCREASING NEED FOR THE DEVELOPMENT AND DEPLOYMENT OF 21 RENEWABLE AND ENERGY-EFFICIENT TECHNOLOGIES, INCLUDING WIND 22 POWER, SOLAR THERMAL ELECTRIC SYSTEMS, BIOMASS-BASED POWER 23 SYSTEMS, GEOTHERMAL ENERGY, BIOFUELS, HYDROGEN-BASED ENERGY 24 SYSTEMS, ELECTRIC ENERGY SYSTEMS AND STORAGE, PHOTOVOLTAIC 25 ENERGY SYSTEMS AND OTHER NEW AND INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES 26 DEEMED APPROPRIATE. 27 (2) IT IS THE INTENT OF THIS ACT TO ASSIST IN THE 28 ESTABLISHMENT OF A BALANCED PORTFOLIO OF RENEWABLE AND 29 ENERGY-EFFICIENT TECHNOLOGIES WHILE ADOPTING A STRATEGY TO 30 FULFILL THE COMMONWEALTH'S LONG-TERM NEEDS AND GOALS FOR BOTH 20030H0121B3548 - 8 -
1 ENERGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT. 2 (3) IT IS THE INTENT OF THIS ACT TO SUPPLEMENT ONGOING 3 EFFORTS SUPPORTING THE DEVELOPMENT OF RENEWABLE ENERGY 4 SOURCES, ESPECIALLY THOSE INITIATIVES BEING ASSISTED THROUGH 5 THE RESOURCES OF THE STATEWIDE SUSTAINABLE ENERGY AND 6 REINVESTMENT FUND PROGRAMS. 7 SECTION 3. DEFINITIONS. 8 THE FOLLOWING WORDS AND PHRASES WHEN USED IN THIS ACT SHALL 9 HAVE THE MEANINGS GIVEN TO THEM IN THIS SECTION UNLESS THE 10 CONTEXT CLEARLY INDICATES OTHERWISE: 11 "ALTERNATIVE ENERGY RESOURCES." EITHER RENEWABLE ENERGY 12 RESOURCES OR PENNSYLVANIA ALTERNATIVE RESOURCES. 13 "ALTERNATIVE FUELS." A MOTOR VEHICLE FUEL WHICH, WHEN 14 COMPARED TO CONVENTIONAL OR REFORMULATED GASOLINE, WILL RESULT 15 IN LOWER EMISSIONS OF OXIDES OF NITROGEN (NOX), VOLATILE ORGANIC 16 COMPOUNDS (VOC), CARBON MONOXIDE (CO), PARTICULATES OR ANY 17 COMBINATION THEREOF. THIS TERM INCLUDES, BUT IS NOT LIMITED TO: 18 COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS (CNG), LIQUEFIED NATURAL GAS (LNG), 19 LIQUID PETROLEUM OR PROPANE GAS (LPG), ETHANOL BLENDED AS E85, 20 METHANOL BLENDED AS M85, HYDROGEN, HYTHANE, ANY COMBINATION OF 21 COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS AND HYDROGEN, ELECTRICITY, COAL-DERIVED 22 LIQUID FUELS, BIOFUELS AND OTHER FUELS DETERMINED BY RULE OF THE 23 SECRETARY OF THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY UNDER THE 24 DEFINITION OF "ALTERNATIVE FUEL" IN SECTION 301 OF THE ENERGY 25 POLICY ACT OF 1992 (PUBLIC LAW 102-486, 42 U.S.C. § 13211). 26 "BI-FUEL VEHICLE OR DUAL-FUEL VEHICLE." A MOTOR VEHICLE, 27 INCLUDING AN ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURER (OEM) AND 28 RETROFITTED MOTOR VEHICLE, THAT OPERATES ON AN ALTERNATIVE FUEL 29 AND GASOLINE OR AN ALTERNATIVE FUEL AND DIESEL FUEL. 30 "BIOFUELS." FUELS DERIVED FROM ALCOHOLS, ETHER, ESTERS AND 20030H0121B3548 - 9 -
1 OTHER CHEMICALS MADE FROM CELLULOSIC BIOMASS, INCLUDING, BUT NOT 2 LIMITED TO, HERBACEOUS AND WOODY PLANTS, AGRICULTURAL AND 3 FORESTRY RESIDUES AND A LARGE PORTION OF MUNICIPAL SOLID AND 4 INDUSTRIAL WASTE. THIS TERM INCLUDES A FUEL DERIVED FROM 5 VEGETABLE OILS OR ANIMAL FATS DESIGNATED B100 THAT MEETS THE 6 AMERICAN SOCIETY OF TESTING AND MATERIALS SPECIFICATION DG751, 7 AND B20, WHICH IS COMPRISED OF 20% BIODIESEL WITH 80% DIESEL 8 FUEL. 9 "DEPARTMENT." THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OF 10 THE COMMONWEALTH. 11 "FUND." THE PENNSYLVANIA CLEAN ENERGY FUND ESTABLISHED UNDER 12 SECTION 9. 13 "HYBRID VEHICLE." A MOTOR VEHICLE WHICH DRAWS PROPULSION 14 ENERGY FROM ONBOARD SOURCES OF STORED ENERGY WHICH ARE BOTH: 15 (1) AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE USING COMBUSTIBLE 16 FUEL. 17 (2) A RECHARGEABLE ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEM. 18 "PENNSYLVANIA ALTERNATIVE RESOURCES." ENERGY FROM ANY OF THE 19 FOLLOWING: 20 (1) FUEL CELLS OR ANY DEVICE THAT COMBINES HYDROGEN WITH 21 OXYGEN WITHOUT COMBUSTION IN AN ELECTROCHEMICAL REACTION TO 22 PRODUCE ELECTRICITY REGARDLESS OF THE SOURCE OF HYDROGEN. 23 (2) WASTE COAL THAT IS BURNED IN FACILITIES CONSTRUCTED 24 SINCE 1980 AND OPERATING IN COMPLIANCE WITH APPLICABLE 25 FEDERAL AND STATE EMISSION STANDARDS. 26 (3) METHANE RECOVERED FROM COAL BEDS AND COAL SEAMS. 27 "PERSON." AN INDIVIDUAL RESIDENT OF THIS COMMONWEALTH. 28 "QUALIFIED ALTERNATIVE ENERGY ENTERPRISE." A BUSINESS THAT 29 DESIGNS, MANUFACTURES, DISTRIBUTES, OPERATES, SERVICES OR 30 MAINTAINS ALTERNATIVE OR RENEWABLE ENERGY PROJECTS OR EQUIPMENT. 20030H0121B3548 - 10 -
1 THIS TERM INCLUDES A GENERATOR OF ELECTRICITY, PRODUCER OF 2 USEFUL THERMAL ENERGY OR PRODUCER OF HYDROGEN WHO USES RENEWABLE 3 ENERGY OR PENNSYLVANIA ALTERNATIVE ENERGY RESOURCES AND WHOSE 4 FACILITY IS LOCATED WITHIN THIS COMMONWEALTH. 5 "QUALIFIED ALTERNATIVE FUEL ENTERPRISE." A BUSINESS THAT 6 DESIGNS, MANUFACTURES, DISTRIBUTES, OPERATES, SERVICES OR 7 MAINTAINS ALTERNATIVE FUEL PROJECTS OR EQUIPMENT. THIS TERM 8 INCLUDES A BUSINESS THAT PRODUCES AN ALTERNATIVE FUEL AND WHOSE 9 FACILITY FOR THE PRODUCTION OF THE ALTERNATIVE FUEL IS LOCATED 10 WITHIN THIS COMMONWEALTH. 11 "QUALIFIED ALTERNATIVE FUEL OR HYBRID VEHICLE MANUFACTURING 12 ENTERPRISE." A BUSINESS THAT MANUFACTURES HYBRID VEHICLES OR 13 MOTOR VEHICLES THAT OPERATE ON AN ALTERNATIVE FUEL. 14 "QUALIFIED BUSINESS." A PARTNERSHIP, ASSOCIATION, COMPANY, 15 CORPORATION, JOINT VENTURE OR OTHER BUSINESS ENTITY QUALIFIED 16 PURSUANT TO SECTION 5. 17 "QUALIFIED EXPENSE." CAPITAL EQUIPMENT DIRECTLY RELATED TO 18 THE ACTIVITIES USED BY A QUALIFIED ALTERNATIVE ENERGY 19 ENTERPRISE, QUALIFIED ALTERNATIVE FUEL ENTERPRISE OR A QUALIFIED 20 MANUFACTURER OF ALTERNATIVE FUEL OR HYBRID VEHICLES. 21 "QUALIFIED SMALL BUSINESS." A PARTNERSHIP, ASSOCIATION, 22 COMPANY, CORPORATION, JOINT VENTURE OR OTHER BUSINESS ENTITY 23 THAT EMPLOYS 100 OR FEWER PERSONS AND MEETS ALL OTHER CRITERIA 24 FOR A SMALL BUSINESS ESTABLISHED BY THE COMMONWEALTH. 25 "RENEWABLE ENERGY RESOURCES." ENERGY FROM ANY OF THE 26 FOLLOWING: 27 (1) THE SUN, INCLUDING SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC TECHNOLOGIES, 28 SOLAR THERMAL ELECTRIC SYSTEMS AND SOLAR THERMAL SYSTEMS. 29 (2) WIND, INCLUDING SYSTEMS THAT GENERATE ELECTRICITY 30 FROM WIND. 20030H0121B3548 - 11 -
1 (3) BIOMASS, INCLUDING SYSTEMS THAT GENERATE ELECTRICITY 2 FROM LANDFILL METHANE, METHANE FROM ANAEROBIC DIGESTION OF 3 ORGANIC MATERIAL, UNTREATED AND UNPAINTED WASTE WOOD AND 4 SAWDUST AND SUSTAINABLY GROWN ENERGY CROPS. 5 (4) LOW-IMPACT HYDROELECTRIC OR OTHER TECHNOLOGIES THAT: 6 (I) HARNESS THE INCREMENTAL HYDROELECTRIC POTENTIAL 7 OF WATER IMPOUNDMENTS PROVIDED SUCH INCREMENTAL 8 HYDROELECTRIC DEVELOPMENT DOES NOT ADVERSELY CHANGE 9 EXISTING IMPACTS TO AN AQUATIC SYSTEM. 10 (II) MEET THE CERTIFICATION STANDARDS ESTABLISHED BY 11 THE LOW IMPACT HYDROPOWER INSTITUTE AND AMERICAN RIVERS, 12 INC. 13 (III) PROVIDE AN ADEQUATE WATER FLOW FOR PROTECTION 14 OF AQUATIC LIFE, PROVIDE FOR SAFE AND EFFECTIVE FISH 15 PASSAGE, PROTECT AGAINST EROSION AND PROTECT CULTURAL AND 16 HISTORIC RESOURCES. 17 (5) HYDROELECTRIC POWER TECHNOLOGIES THAT USE WAVE, 18 CURRENT, TIDAL AND THERMAL SYSTEMS. 19 (6) GEOTHERMAL SYSTEMS. 20 "TAX REFORM CODE OF 1971." THE ACT OF MARCH 4, 1971 (P.L.6, 21 NO.2), KNOWN AS THE TAX REFORM CODE OF 1971. 22 SECTION 4. ALTERNATIVE FUEL OR ALTERNATIVE ENERGY ENTERPRISE 23 DESIGNATION. 24 (A) ESTABLISHMENT.--THERE IS HEREBY ESTABLISHED WITHIN THE 25 DEPARTMENT A PROGRAM PROVIDING FOR THE DESIGNATION OF QUALIFIED 26 ALTERNATIVE FUEL ENTERPRISES, QUALIFIED ALTERNATIVE ENERGY 27 ENTERPRISES AND QUALIFIED ALTERNATIVE FUEL OR HYBRID VEHICLE 28 MANUFACTURING ENTERPRISE. 29 (B) ELIGIBILITY.--THE DEPARTMENT SHALL DEVELOP CRITERIA TO 30 ESTABLISH ELIGIBILITY AS A QUALIFIED ALTERNATIVE ENERGY 20030H0121B3548 - 12 -
1 ENTERPRISE, A QUALIFIED ALTERNATIVE FUEL ENTERPRISE AND A 2 QUALIFIED ALTERNATIVE FUEL OR HYBRID VEHICLE MANUFACTURING 3 ENTERPRISE. BUSINESSES THAT ARE QUALIFIED UNDER THIS SECTION 4 SHALL BE ENTITLED TO THE TAX CREDITS SET FORTH IN THIS ACT FOR A 5 PERIOD NOT TO EXCEED 15 YEARS BEGINNING WITH THE EFFECTIVE DATE 6 OF THIS ACT. 7 SECTION 5. QUALIFIED BUSINESSES. 8 IN ORDER TO QUALIFY EACH YEAR FOR A TAX EXEMPTION, DEDUCTION, 9 ABATEMENT OR CREDIT UNDER THIS ACT, A BUSINESS MUST BE: 10 (1) A QUALIFIED ALTERNATIVE ENERGY ENTERPRISE. 11 (2) A QUALIFIED ALTERNATIVE FUEL ENTERPRISE. 12 (3) A MANUFACTURER OF ALTERNATIVE FUEL VEHICLES, 13 INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, DEDICATED ALTERNATIVE FUEL- 14 POWERED VEHICLES OR HYBRID VEHICLES. 15 SECTION 6. STATE TAXES. 16 (A) GENERAL RULE.--A QUALIFIED BUSINESS SHALL RECEIVE THE 17 EXEMPTIONS, DEDUCTIONS, ABATEMENTS OR CREDITS AS PROVIDED IN 18 SECTIONS 7 AND 8 FOR THE DURATION OF THE ALTERNATIVE FUEL OR 19 ALTERNATIVE ENERGY ENTERPRISE DESIGNATION. EXEMPTIONS, 20 DEDUCTIONS, ABATEMENTS OR CREDITS SHALL EXPIRE ON THE DATE OF 21 EXPIRATION REQUIRED BY THIS ACT. 22 (B) ADMINISTRATION AND REGULATIONS.-- 23 (1) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL COOPERATE WITH THE DEPARTMENT 24 OF REVENUE TO ADMINISTER THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT, 25 PROMULGATE APPROPRIATE RULES, REGULATIONS AND FORMS FOR THAT 26 PURPOSE AND MAKE SUCH DETERMINATIONS AS MAY BE REQUIRED. 27 (2) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ENSURING 28 THAT AN ELIGIBLE BUSINESS MEETS THE ESTABLISHED CRITERIA AS A 29 QUALIFIED BUSINESS UNDER SECTION 5 AND TO ENSURE THAT THE 30 COSTS FOR WHICH A TAX CREDIT ARE BEING SOUGHT MEET THE 20030H0121B3548 - 13 -
1 ESTABLISHED ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA. 2 (3) THE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE SHALL ADMINISTER, CONSTRUE 3 AND ENFORCE THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION AND SECTIONS 7 AND 4 8 IN CONJUNCTION WITH ARTICLES II, III, IV AND VI OF THE TAX 5 REFORM CODE OF 1971. 6 SECTION 7. SALES AND USE TAX EXEMPTION. 7 ELECTRICITY GENERATED BY A QUALIFIED BUSINESS AT ITS FACILITY 8 INSTALLED AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS ACT AND EITHER SOLD 9 AT WHOLESALE OR AT RETAIL OR CONSUMED BY THE QUALIFIED BUSINESS 10 SHALL BE EXEMPT FROM THE SALES AND USE TAX IMPOSED UNDER ARTICLE 11 II OF THE TAX REFORM CODE OF 1971 FOR A PERIOD NOT TO EXCEED 12 FIVE YEARS FROM THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS ACT. 13 SECTION 8. RENEWABLE ENERGY INVESTMENT TAX CREDIT. 14 (A) GENERAL RULE.--A QUALIFIED BUSINESS AS DESCRIBED IN 15 SECTION 5 SHALL BE ELIGIBLE UNDER ARTICLES III, IV AND VI OF THE 16 TAX REFORM CODE OF 1971 FOR A RENEWABLE ENERGY INVESTMENT TAX 17 CREDIT EQUAL TO 30% OF THE COST OF CAPITAL EQUIPMENT DIRECTLY 18 RELATED TO THE ACTIVITIES USED IN A QUALIFIED ALTERNATIVE ENERGY 19 ENTERPRISE, QUALIFIED ALTERNATIVE FUEL ENTERPRISE OR QUALIFIED 20 MANUFACTURER OF ALTERNATIVE FUEL OR HYBRID VEHICLES. 21 (B) APPLICABLE TAXES.--THE RENEWABLE ENERGY INVESTMENT TAX 22 CREDIT AUTHORIZED BY THIS SECTION MAY BE APPLIED AGAINST ANY TAX 23 DUE UNDER ARTICLES III, IV AND VI OF THE TAX REFORM CODE OF 24 1971. 25 (C) AUTHORIZATION.-- 26 (1) A QUALIFIED BUSINESS ENTITY MAY APPLY FOR A 27 RENEWABLE ENERGY INVESTMENT TAX CREDIT AS PROVIDED IN THIS 28 SECTION. BY SEPTEMBER 15, A QUALIFIED BUSINESS ENTITY MUST 29 SUBMIT AN APPLICATION TO THE DEPARTMENT FOR QUALIFIED EXPENSE 30 INCURRED IN THE TAXABLE YEAR THAT ENDED IN THE PRIOR CALENDAR 20030H0121B3548 - 14 -
1 YEAR. 2 (2) A QUALIFIED BUSINESS ENTITY THAT IS QUALIFIED UNDER 3 SUBSECTION (A) SHALL RECEIVE A RENEWABLE ENERGY INVESTMENT 4 TAX CREDIT FOR THE TAXABLE YEAR IN THE AMOUNT OF 30% OF THE 5 COST OF CAPITAL EQUIPMENT PURCHASED FOR USE BY THE QUALIFIED 6 BUSINESS ENTITY DEEMED ELIGIBLE UNDER THE REGULATIONS 7 ESTABLISHED BY THE DEPARTMENT UNDER SECTION 6. 8 (3) BY DECEMBER 15 OF THE CALENDAR YEAR FOLLOWING THE 9 CLOSE OF THE TAXABLE YEAR DURING WHICH THE QUALIFIED EXPENSE 10 WAS INCURRED, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL NOTIFY THE QUALIFIED 11 BUSINESS ENTITY OF THE AMOUNT OF THE QUALIFIED BUSINESS 12 ENTITY'S RENEWABLE ENERGY INVESTMENT TAX CREDIT APPROVED BY 13 THE DEPARTMENT. 14 (D) CARRYOVER.-- 15 (1) THE AMOUNT OF THE RENEWABLE ENERGY INVESTMENT TAX 16 CREDIT THAT A QUALIFIED BUSINESS ENTITY MAY USE AGAINST ANY 17 TAX UNDER ARTICLE III, IV OR VI OF THE TAX REFORM CODE OF 18 1971 DURING ANY YEAR MAY NOT EXCEED 30% OF THE QUALIFIED TAX 19 LIABILITY FOR THAT TAXABLE YEAR. IF THE QUALIFIED BUSINESS 20 ENTITY CANNOT USE THE ENTIRE AMOUNT OF THE RENEWABLE ENERGY 21 INVESTMENT TAX CREDIT FOR THE TAXABLE YEAR IN WHICH THE 22 INVESTMENT TAX CREDIT IS FIRST APPROVED, THE EXCESS MAY BE 23 CARRIED OVER TO SUCCEEDING TAXABLE YEARS AND USED AS A CREDIT 24 AGAINST ANY TAX UNDER ARTICLE III, IV OR VI OF THE TAX REFORM 25 CODE OF 1971 OF THE QUALIFIED BUSINESS ENTITY FOR THOSE 26 TAXABLE YEARS. 27 (2) EACH TIME THAT THE RENEWABLE ENERGY INVESTMENT TAX 28 CREDIT IS CARRIED OVER TO A SUCCEEDING TAXABLE YEAR, IT SHALL 29 BE REDUCED BY THE AMOUNT THAT WAS USED AS A CREDIT DURING THE 30 IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING TAXABLE YEAR. THE RENEWABLE ENERGY 20030H0121B3548 - 15 -
1 INVESTMENT TAX CREDIT MAY BE CARRIED OVER AND APPLIED TO 2 SUCCEEDING TAXABLE YEARS FOR NO MORE THAN 15 TAXABLE YEARS 3 FOLLOWING THE FIRST TAXABLE YEAR FOR WHICH THE QUALIFIED 4 BUSINESS ENTITY WAS ENTITLED TO CLAIM THE CREDIT. 5 (3) A RENEWABLE ENERGY INVESTMENT TAX CREDIT APPROVED BY 6 THE DEPARTMENT FOR A QUALIFIED EXPENSE IN A TAXABLE YEAR 7 FIRST SHALL BE APPLIED AGAINST THE QUALIFIED BUSINESS 8 ENTITY'S TAX LIABILITY FOR THE CURRENT TAXABLE YEAR AS OF THE 9 DATE ON WHICH THE CREDIT WAS APPROVED BEFORE THE RENEWABLE 10 ENERGY INVESTMENT TAX CREDIT IS APPLIED AGAINST ANY TAX 11 LIABILITY UNDER SUBSECTION (A). 12 (4) A QUALIFIED BUSINESS ENTITY MAY NOT CARRY BACK, 13 OBTAIN A REFUND OF OR ASSIGN ANY UNUSED RENEWABLE ENERGY 14 INVESTMENT TAX CREDIT. 15 (E) LIMITATION.--THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF ALL TAX CREDITS ALLOWED 16 UNDER THIS ACT SHALL NOT EXCEED $30,000,000 IN ANY ONE FISCAL 17 YEAR. 18 (F) PRORATION OF TAX CREDITS.--IF THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF 19 RENEWABLE ENERGY INVESTMENT TAX CREDITS APPLIED FOR BY ALL 20 QUALIFIED BUSINESS ENTITIES EXCEEDS THE AMOUNT ALLOCATED FOR 21 THOSE CREDITS, THEN THE RENEWABLE ENERGY TAX CREDIT TO BE 22 RECEIVED BY EACH APPLICANT SHALL BE PRORATED AMONG ALL QUALIFIED 23 BUSINESS ENTITIES. 24 SECTION 9. PENNSYLVANIA CLEAN ENERGY FUND. 25 (A) ESTABLISHMENT.--THERE IS HEREBY ESTABLISHED A SEPARATE 26 FUND IN THE STATE TREASURY TO BE KNOWN AS THE PENNSYLVANIA CLEAN 27 ENERGY FUND. THE MONEYS OF THE FUND ARE APPROPRIATED ON A 28 CONTINUING BASIS TO CARRY OUT THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT. 29 (B) USE.--THE FUND MAY BE USED BY THE DEPARTMENT TO PROVIDE 30 LOANS AT OR BELOW PREVAILING INTEREST RATES AND EQUITY-LIKE 20030H0121B3548 - 16 -
1 INVESTMENTS TO FINANCE OR SUPPORT: 2 (1) THE DEVELOPMENT OR OPERATION OF A QUALIFIED 3 ALTERNATIVE ENERGY ENTERPRISE, QUALIFIED ALTERNATIVE FUEL 4 ENTERPRISE OR QUALIFIED MANUFACTURER OF ALTERNATIVE FUEL OR 5 HYBRID VEHICLES. 6 (2) THE PURCHASE AND INSTALLATION OF RENEWABLE ENERGY 7 RESOURCE TECHNOLOGIES BY SCHOOL DISTRICTS, MUNICIPAL 8 AUTHORITIES, POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS, NONPROFIT ENTITIES, 9 CORPORATIONS, LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANIES, PARTNERSHIPS 10 INCORPORATED OR REGISTERED IN AND INDIVIDUAL RESIDENTS OF 11 THIS COMMONWEALTH. 12 (C) PROGRAM GUIDELINES.--THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ISSUE 13 GUIDELINES FOR ALL ELIGIBLE USES OF THE FUND. 14 SECTION 10. TRANSFER OF FUNDS. 15 NOTWITHSTANDING THE PROVISIONS OF 75 PA.C.S. § 7202 (RELATING 16 TO ALTERNATIVE FUELS INCENTIVE GRANT FUND), THE SUM OF 17 $5,000,000 SHALL BE TRANSFERRED FROM THE ALTERNATIVE FUELS 18 INCENTIVE GRANT FUND ESTABLISHED IN 75 PA.C.S. § 7202 TO THE 19 PENNSYLVANIA CLEAN ENERGY FUND. THE TRANSFER SHALL OCCUR WITHIN 20 60 DAYS OF THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS ACT. 21 SECTION 11. ANNUAL REPORT. 22 THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ANNUALLY MAKE A REPORT TO THE 23 ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES AND ENERGY COMMITTEE OF THE SENATE AND 24 THE ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES AND ENERGY COMMITTEE OF THE HOUSE OF 25 REPRESENTATIVES ON THE ACTIVITIES UNDERTAKEN PURSUANT TO THIS 26 ACT. THE REPORT SHALL, AT A MINIMUM, INCLUDE INFORMATION ON: 27 (1) THE NUMBER AND AMOUNT OF TAX CREDITS PROVIDED. 28 (2) THE TYPES OF BUSINESSES RECEIVING THE CREDITS. 29 (3) A BREAKDOWN OF THE TAX CREDITS PROVIDED BY BUSINESS 30 TYPE. 20030H0121B3548 - 17 -
1 (4) THE NUMBER, AMOUNT AND PURPOSE OF THE LOANS PROVIDED 2 TO ELIGIBLE ENTITIES. 3 SECTION 12. EFFECTIVE DATE. 4 THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT IN 60 DAYS. A6L72SFL/20030H0121B3548 - 18 -