Missoula County opposes HB 346: Revise renewable energy laws, up for hearing this afternoon in the House Energy, Technology and Federal Relations Committee.
This bill would subject solar farms to a 6% property tax rate as Class 13 property. The Department of Revenue already considers solar farms Class 13 property so this would not change existing practice. However, a lower tax rate applies to small “qualifying facilities” as defined by federal law. This bill lowers the threshold for the lower tax rate from 80 megawatts (per federal law) to 50 megawatts. It would therefore effectively increase the tax rate for solar farms between 50 and 80 MW.
By increasing the cost of developing Montana’s solar energy resources, this bill runs counter to Missoula County’s goal of 100% clean electricity by 2030.
Missoula County opposes HB 346: Revise renewable energy laws, up for hearing tomorrow morning in the Senate Taxation Committee.
This bill would subject solar farms to a 6% property tax rate as Class 13 property. The Department of Revenue already considers solar farms Class 13 property so this would not change existing practice. However, a lower tax rate applies to small “qualifying facilities” as defined by federal law. This bill lowers the threshold for the lower tax rate from 80 megawatts (per federal law) to 50 megawatts. It would therefore effectively increase the tax rate for solar farms between 50 and 80 MW.
By increasing the cost of developing Montana’s solar energy resources, this bill runs counter to Missoula County’s goal of 100% clean electricity by 2030.
Sent Feb. 17:
ReplyDeleteRepresentatives Olsen and Sullivan,
Missoula County opposes HB 346: Revise renewable energy laws, up for hearing this afternoon in the House Energy, Technology and Federal Relations Committee.
This bill would subject solar farms to a 6% property tax rate as Class 13 property. The Department of Revenue already considers solar farms Class 13 property so this would not change existing practice. However, a lower tax rate applies to small “qualifying facilities” as defined by federal law. This bill lowers the threshold for the lower tax rate from 80 megawatts (per federal law) to 50 megawatts. It would therefore effectively increase the tax rate for solar farms between 50 and 80 MW.
By increasing the cost of developing Montana’s solar energy resources, this bill runs counter to Missoula County’s goal of 100% clean electricity by 2030.
Please oppose HB 346.
Senator O’Brien,
ReplyDeleteMissoula County opposes HB 346: Revise renewable energy laws, up for hearing tomorrow morning in the Senate Taxation Committee.
This bill would subject solar farms to a 6% property tax rate as Class 13 property. The Department of Revenue already considers solar farms Class 13 property so this would not change existing practice. However, a lower tax rate applies to small “qualifying facilities” as defined by federal law. This bill lowers the threshold for the lower tax rate from 80 megawatts (per federal law) to 50 megawatts. It would therefore effectively increase the tax rate for solar farms between 50 and 80 MW.
By increasing the cost of developing Montana’s solar energy resources, this bill runs counter to Missoula County’s goal of 100% clean electricity by 2030.
Please oppose HB 346.