On Tuesday, March 30, 2010, the Oregon Department of Energy will hold a hearing to create permanent rules for portions of the Business Energy Tax Credit (BETC) program.  This hearing covers temporary administrative rules filed by the Department on November 3, 2009.  Those rules expire on May 1, 2010. 

 

Besides the temporary BETC rules, Tuesday’s hearing will also include proposed rules related to efficient truck technology and technical evaluation criteria used to review projects.  Comments will only be accepted on these topics.  Other BETC program changes, such as the pass-through rate, are not part of this rulemaking and will be the subject of future rulemaking efforts. 

 

The material for the March 30 hearing can be found at: www.oregon.gov/ENERGY/CONS/Rulemaking2009-BETC.shtml

 

The November 3, 2009 rule changes were designed to slow the growth of the program, eliminate the practice of multiple applications for the same or similar projects, and establish new criteria for project eligibility and performance standards.  On March 18, Governor Kulongoski signed HB 3680 which made additional changes to the Business Energy Tax Credit program. 

 

The March 30 public rulemaking hearing will be held at the Oregon Department of Energy (ODOE), 625 Marion St. NE, Salem, 97301 and begins at 9:30 a.m.  Written comments on the rules will be accepted through 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, April 6, 2010.  Comments can be mailed to ODOE, faxed to (503) 373-7806 or e-mailed to kathy.d.stuttaford@state.or.us