Democrats Pushing for Overhaul of Energy Tax Incentives

The National Association of Home Builders has released a quick read about proposed changes to energy-efficient tax credits and deductions pending in the House Ways and Means Committee.

Among those incentives are changes to the New Energy Efficient Home Credit, also known as Section 45L, which was based on meeting energy savings targets above a baseline energy code, which currently is the 2006 IECC. The proposal would base eligibility starting next year on participating in the Energy Star Residential New Construction programs for single-family and multifamily homes.

The legislation also seeks to extend the Non-Business Energy Property Credit, Section 25C, through 2031. The credit replaces a lifetime cap with a $1,200 annual limit and increases from 10% to 30% for consumers that install qualifying energy efficient products in their home, like doors, windows, and HVACs. The bill also would slow down the phase out until 2033 of Section 25D, the Residential Energy Efficient Property credit to defray the cost of installing renewables, fuel cells, biomass stoves, and geothermal heat pumps

These provisions reflect only a small portion of the $2 trillion tax bill being assembled in the House. As the bill moves forward in the coming weeks, significant changes are likely — including shrinking the scope of the overall bill — and there are no guarantees that any of these energy tax provisions are included in a final agreement.

NAHB supports incentivizing energy efficiency through the tax code but will continue to advocate for revisions to changes we oppose, particularly as it relates to Section 45L.

Read More