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BTEC News
July 22, 2010
Biomass Thermal Energy Council Commends Legislators for Introduction of Thermal Renewable Energy and Efficiency Act
Bipartisan collection of Senators and Representatives introduce legislation to incentivize renewable thermal energy
WASHINGTON, July 22, 2010 - The Biomass Thermal Energy Council (BTEC) extends its praise to Sens. Al Franken (D-MN.) and Kit Bond (R-MO.) and Reps. Betty McCollum (D-MN.), Jay Inslee (D-WA.) and Paul Tonko (D-N.Y.) for introducing the Thermal Renewable Energy and Efficiency Act of 2010 in the U.S Senate and House of Representatives (S. 3626 and H.R. 5805, respectively). The legislation would assist in developing renewable heating and cooling projects nationwide.
"Expanding our use of renewable thermal energy, exemplified by the model district energy system we have in St. Paul, is one way to provide low, stable heating and cooling prices to consumers, dramatically increase our country's energy efficiency and speed up our transition away from coal and fossil fuels that cause global climate change," said Sen. Franken in a joint press release with Rep. Betty McCollum. Nearly one third of U.S. energy consumption is for thermal needs such as building heating and cooling and industrial processes.
The Thermal Renewable Energy and Efficiency Act would create a package of financial incentives to support implementation of large scale efficient, renewably-fueled heating and cooling systems. These provisions include improved bonding options for district heating infrastructure, increased project grant funding, and expanding the Production Tax Credit (PTC) to include renewable heating and cooling (Btu to kWh equivalent).
"The bill recognizes and supports clean, efficient sources of thermal energy, in addition to establishing parity with other renewable energy sources like transportation fuels and electricity," said BTEC Deputy Director Kyle Gibeault. "We are pleased to see members of Congress putting forth legislation that will accelerate America's shift towards renewable sources of thermal energy."
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