LANSING – State Representative Mark Meadows (D-Lansing) today introduced a bill that includes wind turbines with other energy sources and allows theentire systemto be exempted from real and personal property taxes.
"The Governor was right in her State of the State address: with other states clamoring to harness the alternative energy industry's potential, Michigan cannot afford to wait," Meadows said. "Already our state has seen growth in alternative energy sources such as ethanol and biodiesel. We can't stop there. We have the potential to become a leader in alternative energy and I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to make that possibility a reality."
Meadows' bill corrects a loophole created by the passage of Senate Bill 803 last year that included "wind energy" in its definition of alternative energy systems. The Senate bill, however, did not include the facility's foundation or an easement as part of the wind turbine facility. Thus, part of the energy source could be assessed as personal property and part as real property; still subjecting the system to taxation. Meadows' bill includes the entire wind turbine system in the definition of alternative energy systems as personal property and allows for the tax exemptions extended to other alternative energy systems.
In her State of the State address Tuesday, Governor Jennifer M. Granholm's said the alternative energy industry was "critical to our economy, our national security, and our environment."
"Alternative energy is an emerging industry here in Michigan and it's imperative that we embrace it and the benefits
it holds for our state," Meadows said. "Providing tax incentives is a great way to encourage alternative energy use.
It helps our citizens and also helps protect our land, air and water. It's a win-win situation."