Oregon Governor Vetoes Contentious Bills Affecting Renewable Energy
Governor Ted Kulongoski vetoed two bills passed by the 2009 Oregon Legislature that related to renewable energy. HB 2472b would have rolled back the Business Energy Tax Credit for large renewable energy projects by reducing the maximum available credit from 50% of eligible costs not to exceed $20 million, to 35% of eligible costs not to exceed $10 million. HB 2940b would have expanded the list of resources eligible for credit against the state's renewable portfolio standard by allowing utilities to count biomass facilities built before 1995.
In vetoing the legislation, the Governor expressed his belief that the changes went too far and put Oregon at a competitive disadvantage in the growing renewable energy sector, one of the few sectors performing well in difficult economic times. Renewable energy advocates celebrated the Governor's veto.
Post authored by David Petersen, partner practicing in the Sustainability and Real Estate and Land Use Groups.
