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Information on Oregon Residential Energy Tax Credits (RETC)
Notice: This program continues in 2010!
for information on
Federal Credits (click
HERE, or scroll down)
Oregon
List of Qualifying
Appliances (updated 1-31-09)
Official
Application for RETC Tax Credits from Oregon
Dept. of Energy (rev 12-09)
Click HERE
Pellet Stoves that
qualify are 2.5 grams per hour or less.
Click HERE for a copy of
the latest list of qualifying pellet stoves. Some pellet stoves
that might qualify may not be on the list yet because the
Oregon Dept. of Energy used the EPA list of certified woodstoves as it's source
information, but many pellet stoves are not on
the EPA list because they are exempt. So, pellet stoves are being
added to the list as manufacturers send in their third party test
data.
Wood stoves that
qualify are 4.5 grams per hour or 2.5 grams per hour for
catalytic wood stoves.
Click HERE for a copy of
the official list.
OHPBA, in partnership with the
Oregon Dept. of Energy, is building and maintaining these lists. The lists
include only the
wood and pellet stoves that qualify for the tax credit. Outdoor
hydronic heaters are being reviewed by ODOE for acceptance into
the program. Also, to qualify, in
addition to being in the list, the applicant meet the "outside
air" requirement.
Information about the
Oregon Program
The state of Oregon,
through a program called the Residential Energy Tax Credit
(RETC) now allows tax credits for purchase of new wood and
pellet stoves that meet the definition of "very Efficient
Biomass Combustion Devices. The tax credit is up to $300
maximum*.
•Letter from Ore. Dept of Energy (DOE)
outlines the requirements:
Click HERE
for the letter.
•Letter from DOE addressing problems with
the tax credit application process should be reviewed by all
hearth retailers.
Click
HERE for the letter. Most problems with the tax credit
applications relate to incomplete information about the stove
model (to prove it meets the requirements) or insufficient
documentation of the outside air requirement.
The entire rules document
can be found on the Internet at:
www.oregon.gov/ENERGY/CONS/RES/tax/docs/RETC_Rule_summary.pdf
Consumer Application
for RETC Tax Credit
For a copy of the DOE's official "Application
and Verification Form" for consumers
click HERE.
The revenue publication that describes these tax credits:
http://www.oregon.gov/DOR/PERTAX/docs/2008Forms/101-431-08.pdf
The wood & pellet tax credit is on page 82 the RETC credits
are described on page 103-104
The tax forms themselves are at:
http://www.oregon.gov/DOR/PERTAX/formspit.shtml#2009_Tax_Year
Information for
Stove Manufacturers
Pellet stoves are exempt from EPA certification.
So, unless a manufacturer had their stoves certified, they will
not be on the EPA list. In this case the manufacturer should
review how to get the stoves on the Oregon tax credit list (download the
letter, see link below). They will not automatically be
added to the list. It is the responsibility of
manufacturers to send their qualifying stoves to OHPBA
using the form and providing documentation by an EPA certified
lab showing they meet the 2.5 gph requirement.
Also, it is
possible that recently tested wood stoves may not be on the
EPA's list yet. In that case, the stove will be only be added
after the EPA list has been updated with the information. If a
manufacturer would like a stove to be listed on the Oregon tax
credit list sooner they should send in the form and
documentation to OHPBA.
If you are a manufacturer,
Click HERE for
a letter describing the process and forms to complete to send to
OHPBA. In order to be on the list
official records must come from an EPA Certified lab.
Download these forms to
list appliances on the official Oregon tax credit list:
Pellet Stove Form;
Wood Stove Form
Qualifications for the
Oregon Tax Credit
“Very efficient biomass combustion devices” that qualify
include EPA certified woodstoves and pellet stoves with the
following criteria:
1. Woodstoves must be on the EPA list and have emissions that
meet the Washington state Standards: 4.5 for non catalytic, 2.5
for catalytic.
2. Woodstoves must have a dedicated outside air intake system.
The rules state a directly attached system is preferred, but it
allows for a barometric pressure wall unit as long as it
is that is near the stove. This is a good solution for
qualifying wood or pellet inserts.
3. Must be for residential heating (less than one quarter
million Btu per hour).
4. Pellet stove emissions must be 2.5 grams per hour or less.
Click HERE for the latest list of
qualifying pellet stoves.
5. Outdoor wood or pellet hydronic heaters, wood boilers, and
masonry heaters are under review by ODOE for acceptance into the
program.
*The tax credit
formula is based on an estimate for the first year of operation
as a kilowatt hour equivalent. The tax credit is equal to the
first year energy yield in kilowatt hours multiplied by $0.40 up
to $300; or 25% of the net cost of the device whichever is less.
Since most stoves are going to cost more than $1200, the 25%
calculation is unlikely to apply.
Oregon Bio Fuels Tax Credit
•The tax credit applies to companies and people who collect and
consume bio fuels such as bio diesel, bio home heating oil, and
biomass, such as cord wood and pellets in the case of home
heating.
•Rules take effect December 14 and are intended for calendar
year starting January 1, 2008.
•The entire list of rules for Bio Fuels tax credit can be found
at:
www.oregon.gov/ENERGY/RENEW/docs/330-150Draft.pdf
•The credit is $10 per bone dry ton of pellets or $10 per cord
of wood.
•The credit is for fuel burned (not bought) regardless of the
source. In other words, if you burn cordwood that came from a
tree that fell in your backyard, that qualifies. There will be
more detail on type of wood that qualifies once the rules are
out.
•The credit only applies if a pellet stove is used or a
woodstove on the list of EPA certified wood stoves.
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