Missoula County opposes SB 85: Generally revise taxation of renewable energy, up for hearing tomorrow morning in the Senate Taxation Committee. If passed, this bill would significantly increase property tax rates for wind farms, from 3% (currently) to between 6% and 12%. It would also eliminate the eligibility of wind and solar farms for the New and Expanding Industry Tax Abatement. It would not affect the eligibility of other qualifying industries (such as the extraction and processing of minerals, ore and forest products) for this tax abatement. This bill would increase the cost of developing Montana’s wind resources, which runs directly counter to Missoula County’s goals to address climate change and achieve 100% clean electricity by 2030.
Senator O’Brien:
ReplyDeleteMissoula County opposes SB 85: Generally revise taxation of renewable energy, up for hearing tomorrow morning in the Senate Taxation Committee. If passed, this bill would significantly increase property tax rates for wind farms, from 3% (currently) to between 6% and 12%. It would also eliminate the eligibility of wind and solar farms for the New and Expanding Industry Tax Abatement. It would not affect the eligibility of other qualifying industries (such as the extraction and processing of minerals, ore and forest products) for this tax abatement. This bill would increase the cost of developing Montana’s wind resources, which runs directly counter to Missoula County’s goals to address climate change and achieve 100% clean electricity by 2030.
Please oppose SB 85.