Capstone Backs Energy Efficient Technology Bills

Capstone Turbine Corp. joined with business, labor and environmental organizations urging the passage of tax credits for technology that will lower energy costs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In letters to the Senate Finance Committee and the House Ways and Means Committee, the Chatsworth-based manufacturer gave its support for credits to expand the use of combined heat and power and waste-energy recovery at industrial facilities. “An increased tax credit will enable future customers to purchase the cleanest and most efficient technologies available and receive shorter paybacks,” wrote Capstone President and CEO Darren Jamison. There are no tax credits for waste-energy recovery, and credits for combined heat and power, a process by which manufacturers and businesses generate electricity and heat on site, is limited to 50 megawatts. The pending bills would remove the limitations so that smaller businesses could apply for the combined heat and power credits; and support the manufacture, installation and operation of combined heat and power and waste-energy recovery equipment. Mark R. Madler