CONGRESS COMPLETES COMPREHENSIVE ENERGY BILL

Washington, DC â??Idahoâ??s renewable energy initiatives will now see increased support after Idaho Senator Mike Crapo, a member of the Senate Finance Committee, was successful in including several tax benefits for consumers and producers in the Energy bill passed today by 74-26. â??This bill benefits everybodyâ??producers receive incentives to explore renewable energy resources, consumers will have access to cheaper and more efficient expanded energy sources and we will decrease our nationâ??s dependence on foreign oil,â?? said Crapo, who is also a member of the Renewables and Energy Efficiency Caucus. â??From a wind power site in Hagerman to nuclear energy research at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL), Idaho has played an integral role in the innovation of renewable energy sources. This bill benefits every aspect of energy from production to consumption and savings.â?? Crapo was instrumental in securing tax credits to expand nuclear, hydropower, wind and solar power production that were included in the final version of the bill. Crapo also supported a tax credit for those who purchase a clean diesel vehicle in support of efforts at The University of Idaho, who has been a leading pioneer in biodiesel research. Idaho ranks 7th in the nation for renewable energy production and Crapo will visit a wind power site in Hagerman next month while in Idaho. This is the first comprehensive energy legislation passed in 13 years by the Senate. The bill will now go to President Bush for final signature into law.