On Friday, HR 3220, the New Direction for Energy Independence, National Security, and Consumer Protection Act, is scheduled for debate and votes in the U.S. House of Representatives. The 888-page bill is of keen interest to BOMA members, as it contains several provisions dealing with energy efficiency and green buildings in both the public and private sectors. The bill was just introduced on July 30 by Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), but is a compilation of other bills that have already been passed by the Committees on Ways and Means and Energy and Commerce.
One provision in the bill that has been actively supported by BOMA Intl. is the extension of the energy-efficient commercial buildings tax deduction of $1.80 per square foot that was originally passed in the 2005 Energy Policy Act. Though BOMA fought hard to see the deduction increased to $2.25 per square foot (which was included in the initial extension legislation introduced earlier this year), it's pleased to see that the language to extend it through 2013 did make the Speaker's bill. Another provision of interest includes the establishment of an Office of Commercial High-Performance Green Buildings, under the direction of the Department of Energy, tasked to coordinate efforts to achieve the national goal to reduce commercial building energy use and achieve zero-net-energy commercial buildings.
Once passed, this bill is expected to conference with the legislation passed by the Senate earlier this summer.
This information was provided by the Building Owners & Managers Association (BOMA) Intl. To find out more, contact Karen Penafiel at (202) 326-6323 or ([email protected]).
One provision in the bill that has been actively supported by BOMA Intl. is the extension of the energy-efficient commercial buildings tax deduction of $1.80 per square foot that was originally passed in the 2005 Energy Policy Act. Though BOMA fought hard to see the deduction increased to $2.25 per square foot (which was included in the initial extension legislation introduced earlier this year), it's pleased to see that the language to extend it through 2013 did make the Speaker's bill. Another provision of interest includes the establishment of an Office of Commercial High-Performance Green Buildings, under the direction of the Department of Energy, tasked to coordinate efforts to achieve the national goal to reduce commercial building energy use and achieve zero-net-energy commercial buildings.
Once passed, this bill is expected to conference with the legislation passed by the Senate earlier this summer.
This information was provided by the Building Owners & Managers Association (BOMA) Intl. To find out more, contact Karen Penafiel at (202) 326-6323 or ([email protected]).
