Oregon Law Review : Vol. 89, No. 2, p. 701-724 : Oregon’s Big Gamble: BETC and the Economics of Renewable Energy and Conservation
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Date
2010
Authors
Kuehl, Gordon J.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Oregon Law School
Abstract
In the 2007–2009 biennial period, the
BETC program cost Oregon $68.6 million in tax revenue. Following
the economic downturn of 2008, Oregon is experiencing the same or
worse economic woes as the rest of the United States, and there have
been loud cries that the BETC program should be either massively cut
back or eliminated. With all state departments having to make tough
cuts due to budget constraints, how can the massive tax expenditure
of the BETC program be justified? To answer that question, I will
examine the history of the BETC program, its successes, and its
weaknesses in the hope of finding a long-term, sustainable, and
effective way that the goals of the Oregon legislature can be met. Part
I of this Comment reviews the history and passage of the BETC
program and the changes that have been made to it over the last
decade. Part II examines the current implementation of BETC and its
economic, environmental, and public policy effectiveness. Finally,
Part III considers the ongoing and upcoming legislative battles BETC
faces and what steps need to be followed to continue the program’s
effectiveness.
Description
24 p.
Keywords
Oregon. Business Energy Tax Credit, Business Energy Tax Credit, BETC, Energy tax -- Oregon, Oregon -- Economic conditions -- 21st century
Citation
89 Or. L. Rev. 645 (2010)