Oklahoma bills offering tax incentives for using
alternative energy pass committee
Feb 16 - McClatchy-Tribune Regional News - Michael McNutt The Oklahoman,
Oklahoma City
Two bills that would give tax credits as a way to encourage
Oklahomans to use alternative fuels unanimously passed a House committee
today.
Even though the state is facing a $900 million budget hole in the upcoming
fiscal year, it's important for Oklahoma to offer tax credits to consider
alternative fuel sources in the state, House Speaker Chris Benge said.
The two measures are part of Benge's effort to develop an energy plan for
the state to lessen dependence on foreign oil, which could be used as a
model for a national energy plan. Both go to the full House after winning
passage by the House Appropriations and Budget Committee.
House Bill 1948 would provide a 5 percent tax credit for residents and
businesses who would buy a geothermal heat pump system. House Bill 1949 is
intended to double the number of publicly available compressed natural gas
fueling stations and give Oklahomans tax credits to help them make a
transition to alternative fuel cars.
Benge, R-Tulsa, said other energy-related measures to be taken up this
session deal with solar, nuclear and wind power.
It's estimated HB 1948 would cost the state about $850,000 a year while no
estimate has been determined yet on how much HB 1949 would cost, Benge said.
Benge authored HB 1949 last summer when gasoline prices were about $4 a
gallon in the state. Gasoline prices have dropped more than half since then,
but Benge said it's still important for Oklahoma to push an energy plan.
"Once the economy picks back up, we're expecting the gasoline prices to go
up again because that demand's going to be there," he said.
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