The Senate Committee on Energy, Industry and Mining met today and reported SB 16 out of the committee.
Senate Bill 16 would repeal a section of code that would give tax exemptions to wind related power projects.
Brian Brown, a representative of Next Era Energy Resources said that the company he represents owns the Mountaineer Wind Energy Center that was built in 2002. He said that they were planning an expansion that would bring in property tax revenue. Removing the tax exemptions from wind projects would put the project in jeopardy.
The next presenter said that the tax breaks started in 2001. He elaborated that businesses come to West Virginia expecting these breaks and that it isn’t fair to repeal them once these projects are built. Senator Mullins (R-Raleigh) said that 14 years is a long time to be propped up by the state and that they shouldn’t expect them forever.
Senator Blair (R-Berkeley) said that other businesses don’t get these tax breaks and that it is unfair now that they are turning a profit.
Senator Facemire (D-Braxton) said that the amount that they no longer exempt is negotiable but they need the industry to work with the legislature.
Senate Bill 16 was then reported to the Senate Committee on Finance with the recommendation that it pass.
