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House of Representatives
Session of 2017 - 2018 Regular Session

MEMORANDUM

Posted:	March 6, 2017 02:42 PM
From:	Representative Brian Sims
To:	All House members
Subject:	Sustainable Development and Manufacturing Tax Credit Package

In the near future, I plan to reintroduce legislation that establishes a series of tax credits for businesses and individuals to encourage sustainable development, green building, and green manufacturing practices. This package is designed to stimulate job growth in the Commonwealth. These bills were introduced in the previous session as House Bills 937, 938, 939 and 940. Please join me in sponsoring this important legislation.

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Document #1

Description:

The first piece of legislation establishes the High-Performance Buildings Tax Credit.  The proposal provides a base tax credit of $35,000 to residential and commercial owners or tenants for either the construction of a green building or the rehabilitation of a non-green building into a green building.  Additional tax credits are offered based on the size of the building and level of performance achieved.  The total cost of the tax credit shall not exceed $10 million per year.  The High-Performance Buildings Tax Credit provides an additional tool to businesses and individuals in accomplishing green building and energy efficiency. (Introduced last session as House Bill 937).

Document #2

Description:

The second piece of legislation establishes the Energy Star Rated Product Manufacturing Tax Credit.  The proposal enables manufactures of Energy Star Rated Products to apply for a tax credit against the capital, operation, and maintenance costs associated with manufacturing Energy Star Products.  The tax credit cannot exceed 20 percent of those costs per applicant and the total cost of the credit shall not exceed $10 million per year. Energy Star Rated Products are invaluable in the continued effort to conserve energy and reduce fossil fuel consumption.  In addition, businesses and homeowners utilizing Energy Star Rated Products have reported significant annual energy costs savings.  The Energy Star Rated Product Manufacturing Tax Credit will promote and stimulate the manufacturing and use of these pivotal energy and cost-saving technologies. (Introduced last session as House Bill 938).

Document #3

Description:

The third piece of legislation establishes the Energy Star Rated Glass or Window Technologies Tax Credit.  The proposal enables manufactures of energy-efficient glass technologies to apply for a tax credit against the capital, operation, and maintenance costs associated with the manufacturing of Energy Star Rated Glass or Window Technologies.  The proposal defines Energy Star Rate Glass or Window Technologies as glass products utilized in a plan to reduce the total annual energy and power costs in building, and meet standardized specifications established by the United States Department of Energy.  The total cost of the tax credit shall not exceed $10 million per year. Energy Star Rated Glass is a valuable alternative energy product.  Certain glass technologies in windows can reduce heating and cooling costs by blocking unwanted heat gain in the summer and preventing heat loss in the winter.  As energy-efficient glass technologies decrease the amount of heating and cooling necessary for comfortable living, buildings utilizing energy-efficient windows often save money through the installation of smaller HVAC systems.  In addition, energy-efficient glass technologies can reduce exposure to harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays.  The Energy Star Rated Glass or Window Technologies Tax Credit will promote and stimulate the manufacturing and use of these pivotal energy and cost-saving technologies. (Introduced last session as House Bill 939).

Document #4

Description:

The final piece of legislation establishes the Green Roof Tax Credit.  The proposal provides a tax credit to individuals and businesses building and maintaining a green roof, defined as an addition to a roof that supports living vegetation and includes a synthetic, high-quality waterproof membrane, drainage layer, soil layer, and lightweight medium plants.  Eligible applicants qualify for a tax credit equal to 25 percent of all costs initially incurred to construct the green roof, as well as maintenance costs incurred, up to a maximum $100,000 annually, for six years.  In addition the proposal creates oversight mechanisms administered by the PA Department of Revenue including limitations on the tax credit and credit clawback provisions.  The total cost of the tax credit shall not exceed $10 million per year.       Green roofs provide many environmental and economic benefits including absorption of air pollutants, reduction of urban heat islands through increased shade, reduction of sewage system loads through absorption of rainwater, and the protection of underlying roofing material by eliminating exposure to ultraviolet rays and temperature fluctuations.  In addition, green roofs provide a living environment for birds and small animals, reduce noise pollution, and help insulate a building from extreme temperatures. (Introduced last session as House Bill 940).

Memo Updated: March 6, 2017 02:43 PM