SPECIAL SESSION ACTS ENACTED FOR 2008

 

ACT

DATE

BILL

SUBJECT

EFFECTIVE DATE

1

July 9

HB 1

The Alternative Energy Investment Act provides for alternative sources of energy; establishes the Alternative Energy Development Program which provides for the indebtedness of up to $500,000,000 to fund projects as outlined in the act, the Consumer Energy Program to provide loans, grants, reimbursements and rebates to individuals and small businesses, the Home Energy Efficiency Loan Program to eligible households for energy efficiency projects, the Home Energy Efficiency Loan Fund and the Alternative Energy Production Tax Credit Program which would provide tax credits in an amount equal to 15% of the total amount of all development, equipment and construction costs paid for alternative energy production projects to eligible applicants; and provides for the powers and duties of the Department of Environmental Protection and for reporting.

Effective Immediately

2

July 10

SB 22

Amends the Alternative Fuels Incentive Act further providing for the Alternative Fuels Incentive Fund by stating that money from the fund may be expended by the department as reimbursement of up to 10 cents per gallon (increased from 5 cents) in a year for up to 12,500,000 gallons of renewable fuels produced by a qualified renewable fuels producer. No more than 0.5% of the fund may be used to educate and do outreach to car dealers and consumers about the program and no more than 1.5% (decreased from 2%) may be used to administer the provisions of the Act. The bill also provides a rebate for individuals who purchase a biodiesel or other alternative fuel vehicle. For fiscal years 2008-2009 through 2010-2011, DEP is authorized to expend up to $100,000 annually for a nitrogen tire inflation grant program. DEP may award matching grants of up to 50% of the costs of purchasing and installing a nitrogen tire inflation system (up to $5,000 per system) to automotive service providers who sell tires in PA. DEP would publish guidelines necessary to implement the grant program, and maintain a registry of grant recipients on the department's website. Additionally, the rebate program would apply to the purchase of a plug-in hybrid or other alternative fuel vehicle. The legislation also provides for biomass-based diesel production incentives by stating that the department would expend up to $5,300,000 annually from the fund as a production incentive of 75 per gallon for biomass-based diesel produced in PA beginning July 1, 2008, and sold in this commonwealth for commercial transportation purposes or for residential heating.

Effective Immediately