University Daily Kansan, January 25, 1983 Page 3 Committee considers bill extending solar tax credits By DIANE LUBER Staff Reporter Staff Reporter Solar energy equipment contractors and environmentalists filled the hearing room of the House Assessment and Taxation Committee yesterday to endorse a bill that would extend the state's solar tax credits to Jan. 1, 1986. And a state senator said he was planning to introduce a similar bill next week that would also tighten up the existing law. UNDER EXISTING law, taxpayers who install solar energy systems on their homes or businesses may claim a tax credit of up to 30 percent of the cost of each system. The tax credit cannot exceed $4,500 for each system installed on businesses or $1,500 for each residential system. The existing law will expire June 30. State Rep. Kathryn Sughrue. D Lodge City, said she had introduced the House bill to extend the deadline at the request of some of her constituents. State Sen. Fred Kerr, R-Praff, said he planned to introduce a bill next week that would close any loopholes in the law as well as extend the deadline. "And if we can make the forms easier to fill out, we'd like to do that," he said. BEHR SAID he had heard of solar companies that were selling their systems by claiming they were eligible for a double tax credit. The extent of abuse has not been great, he said, but such a loophole could ruin the entire law. Sughrue said she was not opposed to some restrictions on solar energy systems. "It it's a protection for the consumer and it reduces the contribution from the state, I'm in favor of it," she said. ALTHOUGH ALL who lobbied at the hearing were in favor of extending the tax credit deadline, at least one member of the committee was not as enthusiastic. State Rep. Robert Frey, R-Liberal, said, "I'm not necessarily unalterably opposed to it." Solar tax credits were intended to be a fledgling industry off the ground, he said. They have been in effect in Kansas since 1976. "There has been a fair test," he said, "I think it might be better to utilize those funds for other things, such as social programs." But Frey is a co-sponsor of a bill that would extend the solar tax credit to heat pumps. "If they're going to extend it," he said, "they should expand it to include heat pumps." DON STEWART, federal programs manager for the Kansas Energy Office, said, "The Kansas Energy Office recommends extension of the tax credit to coincide with the expiration of the federal tax credit." The federal government allows a tax credit that equals 40 percent of the total cost of a solar system. That program expires Dec. 31, 1985. "If the state decides to extend the tax credit, now is the time to clear the law of ambiguations." Stewart said. Some solar equipment dealers were violating the intent of the tax credit law, he said, and changing the law to limit the credit each household is allowed might correct those abuses. Present law allows a tax credit for each solar energy system installed. STEWART SAID solar companies should be using performance, dealer credibility, manufacturers' warranties and product longevity, not the tax credit, as selling points. "We think it's time now to move ahead with rating and certification of solar collectors," he said. "But you have to be careful when you get into the industry because there's a lot between stifling innovation and reducing the junk that is on the market." Stewart said there were national testing procedures for solar collectors that, if used in Kansas, would assure availability of performance information, would clarify what systems are eligible for tax credits and would discourage misrepresentation. STATE REP, James Braden, R-Clay Center and chairman of the House Assessment and Taxation Committee, said he favored extending the tax credits. Competition and more research will continue to bring solar costs down, he said, and the high costs of other energy sources will eventually make the solar tax credit unnecessary. "I'm not sure whether I will move this bill or wait and see what the Senate does," he said. In 1976, there were 38 residential claims for the solar tax credit. By 1981, that figure had increased to 352. In 1976, there had been one business claim for the solar tax credit. By 1981, that figure had increased to 17. Tax credits amounting to $335,157 for both residential and business systems were issued in 1981. Gov. John Carlin, in his message to the Legislature last week, recommended that the credits be extended through 1865. ACADEMY BRIAN M. ECONOMICAL RESPONSE RATIOS OUR SPECIALITY 1 PASSENGER VAN AVAILABLE 800 W. 42ND ST. 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