Jeff Bingaman United States Senator from New Mexico

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today said he is very pleased that a package of tax incentives that will encourage renewable energy production in New Mexico, creating new jobs and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, has passed. The bipartisan proposal, which now goes to the House of Representatives for a vote, reflects many provisions that Bingaman has developed or championed.

Most centrally, the bill extends the production tax credit for wind energy until December 2009, and for energy generated by other renewable sources through December 2010. It also extends the 30 percent investment tax credit for solar energy until 2016, which Navigant Consultant estimates will create as many of 12,000 direct and 7,000 indirect jobs in New Mexico and generate $232 billion in nationwide investment over that eight-year period. 

"I have long maintained that targeted tax incentives are an essential element of a bold new energy policy for our country. These incentives will play a critical role in promoting clean, renewable energy and energy efficiency, and in turn reducing our reliance on conventional fuels, promoting a more secure energy supply and combating global warming. Equally important, these tax credits will create high-paying jobs and reduce energy costs for all Americans."

"We've been trying for nearly two years to prevent these incentives from lapsing, and I believe we finally have the bipartisan, bicameral support to finally get the job done. And I'm very pleased that the White House said today that it supports passage of this legislation," he said.

           In addition to the renewable energy incentives, the measure contains tax credits for conservation and efficiency, including:

·        extension through 2013 of the energy-efficient commercial building deduction;

·        extension through 2009 of credits for energy-efficient improvements to existing and new homes;

·        extension through 2010 of energy-efficient appliance credit; and

·        accelerated depreciation for smart electric meters and smart electric grid equipment.

Additionally, the bill extends non-energy tax incentives. For example, it contains a two-year research and development tax credit critical to our state's high-tech companies, like Intel, that employ thousands of New Mexicans. And it will enhance federal tax incentives for domestic film and television production, making onshore production even more attractive for film studios. These provisions fit well with New Mexico's robust state-level tax incentives that have fueled significant growth in film production, particularly in Central and Northern New Mexico.

"Because this bill extends and improves tax incentives for many of New Mexico's key industries – including clean energy, film production, and high-tech – this bill is a jobs bill for New Mexico," said Bingaman. "The tax incentives we have developed will enable New Mexico employers of all sizes to prosper and grow in our state."

Among other key provisions, the measure also expands the $1,000 per child tax credit to individuals who earn just $8,500, enabling 25,000 New Mexico children to newly qualify and additional 94,000 to receive a larger credit than under prior law. It also keeps the alternative minimum tax at bay for taxpayers who were not subject to it in prior years.