AOI continues to advocate for a strong and viable program – but rocky shoals may be ahead.

On Monday, May 24, 2010, the Oregon Legislature will hold a series of hearings, one of which will be a 30 minute briefing by the Oregon Department of Energy on the newly amended Business Energy Tax Credit (BETC) program. Such updates, although open to the public, usually only involve testimony from the agency involved.

The BETC update is scheduled for 3:00 – 3:30 p.m. in the Capitol, but such schedules are rarely tightly followed. AOI will be monitoring the hearing and is planning to make a recording available to members. Watch for the Leading Issues of the week of May 24.

AOI is a strong supporter of an economically and environmentally viable BETC. Unfortunately, the BETC has undergone a significant reduction in value, making it less attractive to "pass through" partners and potentially reducing its effectiveness as an environmental and economic enhancement tool. A looming budgetary shortfall, possibly in excess of $2 billion next biennium, further complicates the tax credit's future.

Should you wish to offer suggestions to members of the Joint Revenue Committee, you so should feel free to do so by contacting the committee member directly; however, please copy me on your correspondence at: http://broadcast.aoi.org/go2.shtml?JCZ7GZVyFNeT8j3S/9a4da868673277f9/039bf2cf8898647c/katiechristensen@aoi.org

The Joint Revenue Committee members are:
Senators
Ginny Burdick, Chair (D – Portland) sen.ginnyburdick@state.or.us
Frank Morse, Vice-Chair (R – Albany) sen.frankmorse@state.or.us
Mark Hass, (D – Beaverton) sen.markhass@state.or.us
Diane Rosenbaum (D – Portland) sen.dianerosenbaum@state.or.us
Chris Telfer (R – Bend) sen.christelfer@state.or.us 

Representatives
Phil Barnhart, Chair (D – Eugene) rep.philbarnhart@state.or.us
Jules Bailey, Vice-Chair (D – Portland) rep.juleskopelbailey@state.or.us
Cliff Bentz, Vice-Chair (R – Ontario) rep.cliffbentz@state.or.us
Vicki Berger (R – Salem) rep.vickiberger@state.or.us
Scott Bruun (R – West Linn) rep.scottbruun@state.or.us
Sara Gelser (D – D Corvallis) rep.saragelser@state.or.us
Nick Kahl (D – Portland) rep.nickkahl@state.or.us
Tobias Read (D – Beaverton) rep.tobiasread@state.or.us
Chuck Riley (D – Hillsboro) rep.chuckriley@state.or.us
Sherrie Sprenger (R – Scio) rep.sherriesprenger@state.or.us