The Oregon Department of Energy sought input on permanent rule amendments implementing changes made by Oregon Laws 2011, Chapter 474 (House Bill 2523) to the Business Energy Tax Credit program for Renewable Energy Resource Equipment Manufacturing Facilities. These amendments prepare the rules for the transfer of the administration of the BETC Manufacturing program from the Oregon Department of Energy to the Oregon Business Development Department.

 

The new rule Division (091) provides a set of rules for the Oregon Business Development Department to use for the administration of the BETC Manufacturing program from January 1, 2012, when the program is transferred, until they adopt new rules. The amendments and

repeal in Division 090 remove references to the BETC Manufacturing program from the remaining BETC rules, to prevent conflict with the new division. Rule language has been duplicated within Division 91 based on existing BETC rules in Division 90, the restructuring has been prepared for administrative purposes and no policy changes have been made.

 

The agency requested public comment on whether other options should be considered for achieving the rule's substantive goals while reducing the negative economic impact of the rule on business.