Happy New Year for Alternative Fuel Tax Credits President Barack Obama signed into law the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010 on December 17, which contains several provisions intended to reduce domestic dependence on oil: o Reinstates the $1.00 per gallon tax credit for biodiesel production and diesel fuel created by biomass. The credit retroactively applies to its expiration on 12/31/09, and is extended through 12/31/11.
o Extends the current $0.45 per gallon tax credit for ethanol production through 12/31/11. A secondary tariff of $0.54 per gallon on imported ethanol, much of it from Brazil, was also extended through 2011.
o Extends the 30 percent tax credit for infrastructure that supports investment in ethanol, biodiesel, compressed natural gas (CNG) and hydrogen through 12/31/11.
o Provides a $7,500 credit on battery-electric and plug-in-hybrid vehicles such as the Nissan Leaf and Chevrolet Volt, and a one-year extension of the charging station credit, enabling residential buyers to claim up to $1,000 for home-installed stations. Businesses may claim a credit of up to $30,000 for installation of chargers on commercial properties. The alternative fueling station credit also applies to other fuels, such as CNG and propane. On the down side, tax incentives for some twenty hybrid, CNG and diesel vehicles will expire 12/31/10. This includes the CNG-powered Honda Civic GX ($4000) and widely-varying credits for certain hybrid and diesel models from General Motors, BMW, Volkswagen and Audi. Hybrid credits, based on unit sales by manufacturer, were already maxed-out for Toyota, Honda and Ford.
Annual Stakeholder Meeting & Holiday Reception Draws 75 Wisconsin Clean Cities held its Fifth Annual Stakeholder Meeting and Holiday Reception on December 14 at We Energies, its host institution. The 75 participants (a record 105 registered) gathered in the Art Deco-inspired Auditorium of the historic Public Service Building to network, socialize and enjoy wonderful refreshments. Keynote presenter Glenn Bower, a University of Wisconsin-Madison Professor and Hybrid Team Advisor, provided food for thought on “Developing Tomorrow’s Vehicles Today,” while Jessica Lawent of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources offered an overview of clean diesel projects and programs. Riteway Bus Service and E.H. Wolf & Sons were named the 2010 Clean Energy Champions, an annual award given to one or more organizations that recognizes outstanding support of Wisconsin Clean Cities and its mission to promote cleaner air and energy security through alternative fuel development and related strategies. Outgoing and longtime Board President Gary Evans received a Distinguished Lifetime Service Award from Interim President George Stone, a Milwaukee Area Technical College Professor. Event sponsors included We Energies, Clean Energy, ANGI Energy Systems, E.H. Wolf & Sons and Clean Air Fleet.