Hydropower Reform Coalition - production tax credits

St. Lawrence Hydro Will Receive Production Tax Credits

Rupak Thapaliya — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 14:21:49 -0600

St. Lawrence Hydroelectric project located on the Merrimack River in Lawrence, MA will now receive tax credits for electricity generation because of its recent efficiency upgrades.

In its application filed on Sep 29, Essex Company, the operator of the project stated that the existing wooden flashboards on the crest of the project's dam would be replaced with a modem inflatable crest gate system thereby increasing efficiency of the system and generating more electricity. This upgrade resulted in 6.7% increase in generation.

In an order issued today FERC certified the efficiency upgrade, which makes the project eligible for production tax credits (PTC) under Section 1301 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005.

The Lawrence Hydroelectric Project is a 16.8 MW facility that utilizes the Essex dam also known as "Great Stone Dam," constructed in 1848. Last year, FERC had approved the installation of the crest gate system through an license amendment order.

Hudson River project gets tax credits for additional generation

Rupak Thapaliya — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 15:49:45 -0500

Project: Hudson River : P-2482

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has certified additional electricity generation at the Hudson River hydroelectric project as being renewable energy eligible to receive tax credits.

Erie Boulevard Hydropower LP, the licensee for the project, stated in its application filed on September 29 that replacement and installation of new turbine generators would increase electricity generation by 10.94%.

The increase in generation comes from upgrades at the Sherman Land development which will increase its capacity from 28.8 to 37.2 MW boosting the total capacity for the project from 73.2 to 81.6 MW. The project consists of one other development- the Spier Falls development which generates 44.4 MW.

Under the Energy Policy Act 2005, additional electricity generated from an existing hydropower project is eligible to receive renewable energy tax credits, also known as production tax credits (PTC), if such addition is achieved by improving efficiency or by adding capacity. However, such increment has to be first approved by FERC.

Tax extensions approved for renewable energy

Rupak Thapaliya — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 15:49:01 -0500

President Bush signed a bill today that extends tax credit for renewable energy sources, including qualifying hydropower, by two more years.

Under the bill, conventional hydropower also qualifies as being eligible for tax credits, as long as electricity is generated by adding hydroelectric turbines at existing non-hydro dams.

Additionally, the bill also provides tax credits for electricity generated from hydrokinetic technology, for which there has been increasing interest around the country.

The renewable energy provisions were inserted in the bill entitled "Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008," (H.R. 1424) which is primarily aimed to address the nation's current economic crisis.

Tax credit certification for hydroproject in Maine

Rupak Thapaliya — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 15:09:33 -0500

Project: Rumford Falls : P-2333

FERC has certified the Rumford Falls project on the Androscoggin River in Maine for renewable energy production tax credit. According to the licensee, a subsidiary of Brookfield Power, upgrading of runners at the lower station is underway and scheduled to be completed by the end of June. The upgrades will result in efficiency improvements by 3.2% and an additional generation of 8569 MWh.

The Energy Policy Act of 2005 allows efficiency improvements in hydropower facilities to be eligible for tax credits. Since enactment of the Act, FERC has certified tax credits for 24 projects combining for an additional 276,871 MWh of electricity generation.

Hydro project in California to get production tax credits

Rupak Thapaliya — Tue, 27 May 2008 11:35:00 -0500

Project: Pit 3, 4, & 5 : P-233

FERC has certified the Pit 3, 4 & 5 hydroelectric projects on the Pit River in California to be eligible for production tax credits (PTC) under the Energy Policy Act of 2005.

In July 2007, PG&E had completed a turbine upgrade by installing a new runner, new wicket gates, and upgrading other electrical and mechanical components. This, according to PG&E, improved the generation efficiency by 0.31%.

The EPAct 2005 allows for hydropower facilities to receive tax credits if there is efficiency improvement or capacity addition.