LANSING––Senator Dennis Olshove (D-Warren) joined with colleagues from both sides of the aisle yesterday to offer legislation to stimulate the generation and use of alternative energy. The five-bill package offers incentives to help businesses and homeowners implement renewable energy systems and improvements.

“With our plentiful wind and water, existing industrial infrastructure, and dedicated and diligent workforce, renewable energy production is the natural progression of our manufacturing sector,” said Sen. Olshove. “These bills will help revitalize our communities by infusing them with new jobs and turning our brownfields into green energy.”

His bill, SB 1337, will provide tax abatements for renewable energy plants to stimulate redevelopment and rehabilitation in industrial districts.

Other legislation sponsored by Senators Ray Basham (D-Taylor), John Gleason (D-Flushing), Gilda Z. Jacobs (D-Huntington Woods), and Bruce Patterson (R-Canton) will provide the following alternative energy growth incentives:

• An income tax credit for renewable energy improvements to a residence (SB 1335, Basham). This includes installation and/or retrofitting of home solar, wind or water energy conservation devices.
• A property tax exemption for alternative energy improvements (SB 1336, Jacobs).
• Sales and use tax exemptions on the purchase of alternative energy systems, including heating and cooling systems, solar panels and wind turbines, or alternative energy vehicles (SB 1338, Patterson and SB 1339, Gleason).

This package is part of the Legislature’s multi-pronged approach to create jobs, save consumers money, and protect our air, land and water. In addition to encouraging businesses and homeowners to purchase and use alternative energy systems, these bills will reduce utility costs, saving families and companies money, and implement cleaner energy sources that can lower pollution and protect human health and the environment.

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