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Rep. Williams Introduces Bill to Permanently Offset High Costs of Energy Efficiency Systems

October 7, 2020

WASHINGTON, D.C. Congressman Roger Williams (R-TX-25) introduced the Incentivize Energy-Saving Improvements Act (H.R. 8547) to make permanent 179D of the tax code that offsets the high costs of energy efficient components and systems for commercial, high-rise multifamily residential, health care, institutional, public, and educational facilities. The temporary nature of the 179D provision deters investment in energy-efficient systems and is set to expire on December 31, 2020.

"Energy efficient systems help reduce a building's energy consumption, but the upfront costs associated with these investments are often too high to be economically feasible," said Congressman Williams. "The 179D deduction has leveraged billions of dollars in private capital, resulted in the energy-efficient construction of thousands of buildings, and created and preserved hundreds of thousands of jobs. It is critical that we make this deduction permanent as it has lowered demands on the power grid, moved the United States closer to energy independence, and reduced carbon emissions."

Supporting groups include the Building Owners and Managers Association International (BOMA), Building Owners and Managers Association Austin, Commercial Real Estate Development Association International (NAIOP), Commercial Real Estate Development Association Austin, American Gas Association (AGA), National Association of State Energy Officials (NASEO), American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC), American Public Gas Association (APGA), Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA), National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), and the Energy Systems Group.

Quotes of support:

National Association of State Energy Officials
"This legislation is a critical component of a forward-thinking energy policy. The tax deduction for energy efficiency in commercial buildings is a critical way to save energy, save money and make our economy more competitive," said David Terry, Executive Director of the National Association of State Energy Officials

NAIOP
"As an advocate for commercial property owners and as first-hand witnesses to the benefits of the Section 179D deduction, NAIOP Austin strongly supports making the deduction a permanent fixture of the tax code. Making long-term investments in energy efficient systems is a costly choice upfront; encouraging property owners to do so without certainty of continued tax benefits would be a difficult proposition and as such, we recommend making the Section 179D deductions permanent and predictable," said Brian Brooke, NAIOP Austin Board Member, President.

Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) International
"The Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) International applauds Congressman Williams for his leadership on this issue. The Energy Efficient Commercial Buildings Tax Deduction (179D) has long been a valuable tool for commercial real estate owners and managers, and making this incentive permanent would give them the certainty they need to invest in their buildings for the future. As we work though a challenging economic landscape, this is an important step towards growth and stability for energy efficiency and environmental stewardship," said Henry H. Chamberlain, APR, FASAE, CAE, President and Chief Operating Officer of BOMA International.

Air Conditioning Contractors of America
"The Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) fully supports the Incentivize Energy-Saving Improvements Act, which will make the Section 179D tax deduction permanent. The Section 179D deduction helps drive business for ACCA members across the country and its permanence will provide certainty for the organizations and companies that utilize it. We sincerely thank Congressman Williams for his leadership on this issue," said Barton James, President and CEO of the Air Conditioning Contractors of America.

American Public Gas Association
"APGA commends Rep. Williams for introducing legislation permanently extending the 179D energy efficiency tax deduction. This deduction is a proven tool in spurring investment in and deployment of efficient and innovative natural gas technologies in commercial buildings. Making 179D permanent provides the certainty needed for continued advancement of these technologies. APGA urges Congress to take up this important extension," said Dave Schryver, President and CEO of APGA.

Congressman Roger Williams represents the 25th Congressional District of Texas and serves as a member of the House Committee on Financial Services.