BETC Gets a Boost
The proposed Biomass Plant in
Warm Springs will be one of many projects to benefit from new
legislation passed recently to promote sustainable and
renewable energy practices in Oregon. Signed in to law on July
31st by Governor Kulongoski, House Bill 3201 raised the
Business Energy Tax Credit (BETC) from covering 35 per cent of
a business’s eligible project costs to 50 percent.
Central Oregon law firm Karnopp Petersen partnered with their
client, the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation
of Oregon, to participate in the legislative process by
refining the bill and ensuring the benefits had a positive
impact in practice.
The Tribe’s proposed biomass plant is designed to use woody biomass – including wood waste from forest health projects on tribal and adjoining federal forest lands to generate enough renewable energy. When the plant is completed, it is expected to produce enough energy to power more than 12,000 homes as well as create jobs on the reservation. In addition to working with the Tribe on legislative benefits, Karnopp Petersen is assisting with legal advice throughout the complicated project planning, financing and construction process.
“We are excited to assist the Tribe in developing an environmentally sustainable project that will provide not only electricity, but economic growth for the reservation,” said Jim Noteboom, lead partner for the Karnopp Petersen biomass team.