2011 Environmental Product Guide - Sea Grant College Program

Return to Table Of ContentsFor government agencies, purchasing environmentally preferable products may be mandated by the State andFederal Government through Executive Orders and the Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines by U.S. EnvironmentalProtection Agency. In addition, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 provided many tax incentives forindivudals and for companies in the areas of healthcare, education, energy efficiency, housing, and more.1.4 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act 2009 (ARRA 2009) and Tax Credits 1Federal & State Tax Credit and RebatesCommonly referred to as Economic Stimulus Package, ARRA 2009 extended many consumer tax incentivesoriginally introduced in the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPACT) and amended in the Emergency EconomicStabilization Act of 2008 (P.L. 110-343). Federal tax credits may also have an expiration date. Incentives aregeared towards:• Home Energy Efficiency Improvements: consumers who purchase and install specific products, such asenergy-efficient windows, insulation, doors, roofs, and heating and cooling equipment in existing homescan receive a tax credit for 30% of the cost, up to $1,500, for improvements “placed in service” startingJanuary 1, 2009, through December 31, 2010.See http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=tax_credits.tx_index for more information• Residential Renewable Energy: consumers who install solar energy systems (including solar water heatingand solar electric systems), small wind systems, geothermal heat pumps, and residential fuel celland microturbine systems can receive a 30% tax credit for systems placed in service before December31, 2016.See http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=tax_credits.tx_index for more information• Automobile: hybrid gas-electric and alternative fuel vehicles, plug-In electric vehicles, plug-In hybrid conversion kits, and low speed & 2/3 wheeled vehicles, all qualify for this tax credit as long as they were purchased or lease before the provision expiration date.See http://www.irs.gov/businesses/corporations/article/0,,id=202341,00.html for more informationIn addition to federal tax incentives, some consumers and businesses will also be eligible for utility or state rebates,as well as state tax incentives for energy-efficiency, renewable energy, fuel efficient vehicles and equipment.For current information on state, local, utility and federal incentives and policies that promote renewable energy andenergy efficiency, see the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency at www.dsireusa.org1Retrieved from http://www.energy.gov/taxbreaks.htm2