Bill Seeks to Spur Renewable Energy Development on Private Land

On Thursday, Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) introduced the Renewable Incentive Act (S 2899) to expand a grant program that was the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 aimed at keeping the renewable energy section strong through the economic crisis.

That program, set to expire in 2010, helps renewable energy developers get financing for projects. Thursday’s legislation would extend the program for two additional years, expand it to include public power companies (currently excluded) and create a tax credit for solar projects on private lands that have already been developed. That’s intended to draw energy companies away from seeking to build on fragile public land, such as the Mojave Desert. The bill is being praised by some environmental groups, including Defenders of Wildlife.

- Suzanne Bopp

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