Us Congress 2023-2024 Regular Session

Us Congress House Bill HB426

Introduced
1/20/23  

Caption

Lakes Before Turbines Act This bill eliminates the energy-related tax credit for investment in certain offshore wind facilities after 2022.

Impact

If enacted, HB 426 would significantly affect the financial landscape for offshore wind energy developments in the Great Lakes region. Supporters argue that removing these tax incentives is necessary to reassess energy investment priorities and to ensure that resources are appropriately allocated to projects that do not interfere with local ecosystems. Opponents, however, voice concerns that this could stifle renewable energy growth and hinder efforts to fulfill energy independence goals, particularly at a time when there’s increasing focus on renewable energy sources to combat climate change.

Summary

House Bill 426, known as the 'Lakes Before Turbines Act', aims to amend the Internal Revenue Code by terminating the investment tax credit for certain offshore wind facilities located in inland navigable waters. Specifically, this bill seeks to exclude facilities in the Great Lakes from receiving such tax credit benefits post-2022. The intention behind this legislation is to prioritize the preservation of important waterways while also addressing fiscal concerns regarding taxpayer funding for offshore wind projects. The bill reflects a shift in energy policy, particularly relevant to states surrounding the Great Lakes where environmental and economic impacts are highly contestable.

Contention

The discussions surrounding the bill highlight notable points of contention, primarily focused on the balance between environmental conservation and renewable energy promotion. Advocates of the bill contend that the potential negative impacts on the Great Lakes' ecosystem outweigh the benefits of continued tax credits for offshore wind facilities. Conversely, critics argue that the elimination of these incentives could result in a slowdown of green energy initiatives, accentuating reliance on non-renewable resources, and ultimately jeopardizing long-term sustainability objectives.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

US HB2133

Lakes Before Turbines Act

US HB1462

To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to disallow the production tax credit and investment tax credit for offshore wind facilities placed in service in the inland navigable waters of the United States or the coastal waters of the United States.

US HB2187

To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to disallow the production tax credit and investment tax credit for offshore wind facilities placed in service in the inland navigable waters of the United States or the coastal waters of the United States.

US HB2716

OWNER Act Offshore Wind for Northeastern Energy Revenue Act

US HB3614

American Offshore Wind Opportunity Act

US HB257

Earned Income Tax Credit Equity for Puerto Rico Act of 2021 This bill makes residents of Puerto Rico eligible for the federal earned income tax credit.

US HB25

FairTax Act of 2023 This bill imposes a national sales tax on the use or consumption in the United States of taxable property or services in lieu of the current income taxes, payroll taxes, and estate and gift taxes. The rate of the sales tax will be 23% in 2025, with adjustments to the rate in subsequent years. There are exemptions from the tax for used and intangible property; for property or services purchased for business, export, or investment purposes; and for state government functions. Under the bill, family members who are lawful U.S. residents receive a monthly sales tax rebate (Family Consumption Allowance) based upon criteria related to family size and poverty guidelines. The states have the responsibility for administering, collecting, and remitting the sales tax to the Treasury. Tax revenues are to be allocated among (1) the general revenue, (2) the old-age and survivors insurance trust fund, (3) the disability insurance trust fund, (4) the hospital insurance trust fund, and (5) the federal supplementary medical insurance trust fund. No funding is authorized for the operations of the Internal Revenue Service after FY2027. Finally, the bill terminates the national sales tax if the Sixteenth Amendment to the Constitution (authorizing an income tax) is not repealed within seven years after the enactment of this bill.

US HB312

Emergency Savings Accounts Act of 2023 This bill allows an individual taxpayer occupying a residence a deduction from gross income for up to $5,000 of amounts paid into such taxpayer's emergency savings account. The bill defines emergency savings account as an account established exclusively to pay the qualified disaster and public health emergency expenses of the account beneficiary. The bill defines qualified disaster and public health emergency expenses as disaster mitigation expenses, disaster recovery expenses, public health emergency expenses, and unemployment-related expenses.

US HB2811

Water Quality Certification and Energy Project Improvement Act of 2023 TAPP American Resources Act Transparency, Accountability, Permitting, and Production of American Resources Act Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny Act of 2023

US HB4151

To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to require certain contract terms in contracts relating to wind turbines on land not owned by the taxpayer as a requirement in order to claim the credit relating to electricity produced from certain renewable resources.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.