Upfront: OPEI, others support tax credit legislation on alternative-energy non-road equipment
By Steve Noe
Consumers may receive a 25-percent tax credit up to $1,000 toward the purchase of alternative-energy-powered “non-road” lawn, garden and forestry power equipment under legislation proposed by Senators Patrick Leahy and Bernie Sanders and Congressman Peter Welch, as well as supported by the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) and many manufacturers.
According to the offices of Leahy, Sanders and Welch, this “tax credit to purchase clean lawn and garden equipment would give Americans a powerful incentive to operate clean, alternative-energy power equipment that will reduce our dependence on imported oil.”
OPE manufacturers currently offer a wide range of alternative-energy-powered equipment from battery, electric, hybrids, propane and solar to compressed natural gas and diesel.
At the same time, gasoline-powered equipment uses the latest technologies to produce the cleanest, lowest-emission products ever and is fully regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The EPA began regulating outdoor power equipment emissions with Phase I in 1997 and Phase II in 2002. In August 2008, the EPA announced its Phase III emissions regulations. Once fully implemented, the OPE industry will have reduced emissions by 95 percent in just 15 years since it first became regulated.
Product purchases that qualify for the tax credit include equipment that is powered by a motor drawing current from solar, electricity, or rechargeable or replacement batteries; has a hybrid-electric drive train and/or cutting system powered by a generator or electrical storage device combined with a small engine; or is powered by alternative power sources and regulated by the EPA.
“We are pleased to support this new tax credit that truly incentivizes consumers to seek out a range of alternative-energy sources when operating outdoor power equipment,” said Kris Kiser, executive VP at OPEI. “Our members are responding to stated public policy that aims for energy independence with innovative, technology-driven product.”
One of OPEI’s biggest beneficiaries of the tax credit would be Husqvarna Professional Products, Inc.
“We are proud to lead the way in manufacturing outdoor power equipment that relies on alternative-energy sources,” said Husqvarna President Dave Zerfoss. “In the marketplace today, we offer technology such as the Automower, Automower Solar Hybrid and TB 100 battery-powered cultivator, which have low environmental impact while exceeding the performance demands of our consumer.
“As a member of OPEI, we support the efforts to spearhead incentives for Americans, bringing increased attention to alternative-energy power equipment.”
Having recently introduced an all-electric riding lawn mower called the AMP Rider, the Ariens Company is another OPEI member that would stand to benefit from the tax credit.
“Ariens Company has made an extensive investment in the development of its electric riding mower,” said Ariens CEO Dan Ariens. “Clearly, the proposed legislation is intended to encourage consumers to purchase non-polluting lawn maintenance equipment such as the Ariens AMP.”
Country Home Products, the parent company of Neuton Power Equipment, which makes a battery-powered mower, would also benefit greatly from the tax credit.
“Alternative power from sustainable sources is the future of the outdoor power equipment industry,” said Joe Perrotto, president of Country Home Products. “Just as we’ve seen government-backed incentives help to catalyze the adoption of residential solar grids and hybrid vehicles, we expect this legislation to bring widespread attention to battery-powered outdoor power equipment. That will be a tremendous boon for innovation in the space, and we look forward to helping to drive that change.”
Ariens Company believes the proposed tax credit is a worthy initiative that will not only spread the use of non-polluting equipment, but will also encourage manufacturers to continue to develop new, alternative technologies to make lawn maintenance cleaner, quieter and less of an impact on the environment.
“Despite the fact that a well-maintained lawn is already a proven means on carbon sequestration, we can now make sure that lawn is also maintained with as little impact on the environment as possible,” added Dan Ariens.
OPE Editor Steve Noe
snoe@m2media360.com
