Nation's Building News Online

Senate Tax Bill Revives Energy Efficiency Incentives

In a victory for NAHB, the international tax bill approved by the Senate last week includes home energy efficiency tax credits that have long been sought by the nation’s home builders.

With the energy bill languishing in the Senate, Sen. Pete Domenici (R-NM), chairman of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, led the effort to incorporate tax incentives from that package — including the home energy effiency tax credits — into S. 1637, the “Jumpstart Our Business Strength (JOBS)” bill.

During Senate consideration of S. 1637 on May 11, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) offered an amendment to strike the energy tax provisions from the bill. Opposing his amendment, NAHB sent a letter to all 100 senators reiterating its support for the home energy efficiency tax credits and urging opposition to any effort to remove them from the JOBS legislation.

The McCain amendment failed on a vote of 85 to 13, and the Senate then went on to vote 92-to-5 in favor of final passage of the JOBS bill.

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The energy credits would provide powerful incentives for millions of home owners, renters and buyers to conserve energy and save hundreds of dollars annually in utility costs.

Specifically, the legislation would provide:

• A $1,000 tax credit to builders for the construction of a new home that is at least 30% more energy-efficient than a home built under the latest standards of Chapter 4 of the International Energy Conservation Code approved by the Department of Energy. The tax credit jumps to $2,000 for homes that are at least 50% above the code.
• A 10% tax credit up to $300 on projects that reduce energy consumption in existing homes. Eligible improvements must be certified to meet or exceed the latest prescriptive criteria for such components in the International Conservatioin Code approved by the Department of Energy. The credit would go to the home owner.
• A $2.25 per square foot commercial property deduction for rental housing four stories and higher that is at least 50% more efficient than buildings constructed to the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers 90.1-2001 standard.

The House will be considering similar legislation this summer and NAHB will continue to lobby for the enactment of home energy efficiency tax credits this year.

To read the legislation, click here and enter S. 1637 in the box at the upper left.

For further information, e-mail Michael Strauss or call him at 800-368-5242 x8252.
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