Posts Tagged ‘ betc ’

Session Watch: Another Day For BETC and BPA Ban

February 19, 2010
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That mysterious HB 3703 comes up before the House Rules Committee again this afternoon.

This is the latest version of the bisphenol A ban, the one the Senate voted down earlier this week. But rather than accepting defeat, supporters found a new home for it before the Rules Committee. It’s been sitting on the agenda for three days now. It’s scheduled for a work session today at 3pm in Hearing Room C, which means they could be taking a vote.

But before that, the Senate Finance and Revenue Committee takes another look at a bill designed to update Oregon’s Business Energy Tax Credits. At 1pm in Hearing Room A, the committee considers HB 3680, the BETC rewrite. The bill slowly phases out tax credits for large wind farms, and puts a cap on how much credits can be handed out for all renewable energy projects.

While BETC has been given credit for creating a renewable energy boom in Oregon, as well as hundreds of new jobs, the costs have spiraled out of control over the past couple of years.

Session Watch Wednesday: Energy Tax Credits and BPA Ban

February 17, 2010
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A reborn version of the bisphenol A ban comes up this afternoon in the House Rules committee. HB 3703 bans the use of BPA lined bottles and cans if the food or drinks they contain are meant for children under the age of three. It’s a slightly different version of the BPA ban that was voted down by the Senate Tuesday. The hearing begins at 3:30pm in Hearing Room F.

The Senate Finance and Revenue Committee begins what could be two days of hearings on HB 3680, an update of Oregon’s famed Business Energy Tax Credit. BETC provides tax breaks for companies developing renewable energy project. But the costs of the program have grown faster than anyone anticipated. This new bill caps overall BETC spending, phases out credits for large wind farms, and closes some loopholes. This hearing begins at 1pm in Hearing Room A.

Session Watch: BETC Changes Move To House Floor

February 8, 2010
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The House is expected to vote this week on changes to Oregon’s Business Tax Credit. Better known as BETC (pronounced Betsy), the tax credits have played a huge role in boosting renewable energy in the state.

BETC has turned out to be so popular, that legislators are now worried the credits have become too expensive.  Late Friday, the House Revenue Committee approved HB 3680, an updated version that’s designed to control costs and close some loopholes. And unlike a 2009 attempt that was vetoed by Governor Kulongoski, this time he’s okay with the changes.

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