Sales Tax Exemption for Biomass Materials
Georgia enacted legislation creating an exemption for biomass materials from the state's sales and use taxes. To qualify for the exemption, biomass material must be utilized in the production of energy, including the production of electricity, steam, or both electricity and steam. Pellets and fuels derived from biomass are generally eligible. Contact: Tax Information, Georgia Department of Revenue, 1800 Century Center Blvd, NE, Atlanta, GA 30345-3205; 404-417-4477; http://www.dor.ga.gov/

Corporate Tax Credits for Clean Energy Equipment
Georgia has enacted legislation establishing corporate tax credits for clean energy equipment installed and placed into service. Eligible efficient technologies are lighting; lighting controls/sensors; and comprehensive measures/whole buildings. Renewable technologies are: solar water heat; solar thermal electric; solar space heat; solar thermal process heat; wind; geothermal heat pumps;  and biomass gasification. The following credit limits for various technologies apply: a maximum of $100,000 per installation for domestic solar water heating; a maximum of $500,000 per installation for photovoltaics (PV), solar thermal electric applications, active space heating, biomass equipment and wind energy systems;  a maximum of $100,000 per installation for Energy Star-certified geothermal heat pumps; a maximum of $100,000 for lighting retrofit projects; and a maximum of $100,000 for energy-efficient products installed during construction. Before claiming the credit, the taxpayer must submit an application to the Georgia tax. This tax credit is in effect from July 1, 2008, until December 31, 2012. Contact: Taxpayer Services Division, Georgia Department of Revenue, 1800 Century Center Blvd, NE, Atlanta, GA 30345-3205; 404-417-4480; http://www.gefa.org/Index.aspx?page=423

Incentives to Contractors for Energy Efficient Measures in New Homes
Diverse Power is offering a number of rebates for new and existing homes that install energy-efficient measures, such as heat pumps including geothermal, water heaters, and heat recovery systems. New home rebates are paid directly to the contractor unless another arrangement is made. Contact: Customer Service – DP, Diverse Power, 1400 South Davis Road, P.O. Box 160, LaGrange, GA 30241; 706-845-2000; Fax: 706-845-2020; http://www.diversepower.com/rebates_incentives.php

Rebates Available in Home Energy Program
Habersham Electric Membership Corporation offers a rebate program for residential and manufactured homes that meet certain insulation specifications and pass inspection by a Habersham EMC representative. After meeting these specifications new homes and manufacturers are eligible for a $200 rebate. In addition, new, existing and manufactured homes are eligible for a $150 to $200 rebate on a qualified heat pump. Touchstone Energy Homes are also eligible for an Energy Conservation rate discount and can use the Energy Efficient Loan Program to finance these energy conservation improvements. Contact: Customer Service – HEMC, Habersham Electric Membership Corporation, P.O. Box 25, Clarkesville, GA 30523; 800-640-6812; 706-754-2114 Fax: 800-640-6813; http://www.habershamemc.com/tshome.aspx

Production Incentives for Solar and Wind Generation Projects
Participating power distributors in Tennessee Valley Authority’s Green Power Switch Generation Partners program offer production-based incentives for solar photovoltaics (PV) and wind projects to small commercial customers and incentives for PV projects to large commercial customers. Under the small-commercial contract, TVA will purchase the entire output of a qualifying system at $0.15 per kWh through a participating power distributor and the consumer will receive a credit for the power generated. Under the larger commercial contract, TVA will purchase the output at $0.20 per kWh. Qualifying sources for small commercial projects include photovoltaic and wind turbine systems with a minimum output of 500 watts AC and a maximum of 50 kW. For large commercial consumers, qualifying sources are restricted to PV only. Although the maximum output for commercial generation systems remains at 50 kW, the power distributor may elect to permit larger systems with mutual agreement of TVA on a case-by-case basis. Qualifying systems must be used primarily to provide all or part of the energy needs at a particular site and must not have previously generated into the grid. Contact: Tennessee Valley Authority
400 W. Summit Hill Dr., Knoxville, TN 37902-1499; 865-632-2101; http://www.gpsgenpartners.com/ or http://www.tva.com/greenpowerswitch/distributors.htm

Prime Interest Rate Loans for Weatherization Measures
Walton Electric Membership Corporation (EMC) offers the Prime PowerLoan program for commercial accounts. Customers can receive prime rate financing for the installation of, among other things, weatherization measures. These include caulking/weather-stripping, duct/air sealing, and building insulation. Contact: Customer Service - Walton EMC, Walton Electric Membership Corporation, P.O. Box 260, Monroe, GA 30655; 770-267-2505; http://www.waltonemc.com/prod_rebateprog.htm

Loans to Improve the Energy Efficiency of Your Business
Hart EMC, in conjunction with the National Rural Cooperative Finance Corporation, offers the EC Commercial Loan Program. This program offers commercial customers, inside and outside the Hart EMC service area, the opportunity to improve the energy efficiency of their facility's equipment through low-interest financing. Loans are underwritten and serviced by the First National Bank of New England. Hart EMC does not need to be the applicant's service provider. Contact: Customer Service - Hart EMC, Hart Electric Membership Corporation, Member Services Department, P.O. Box 250, 1071 Elberton Road, Hartwell, GA 30643; 706-376-4714; 800-241-4109; Fax: 706-376-7200; http://www.hartemc.com/index.asp?rightnav=true&name=EC%5FCommercial%5FLoans&rid=17&lid=19&lname=For+Your+Business

Rebates for Builders and Developers of Energy Efficient Homes
Energy Power Board offers an incentive to the builders and developers of residential properties to encourage the construction of energy efficient homes. The size of the rebate is dependent upon the type of dwelling constructed. EPB will work with developers in the planning stages to determine the proper mix of insulation, windows, doors, heat pumps, water heating and appliances to achieve energy right efficiency to meet the requirements for this rebate. Contact: Energy Power Board, EPB Energy Services, PO Box 182255, Chattanooga, TN 37422; 423-648-1372; Fax: 423-648-1233; http://www01.epb.net/index.php?page=business_builders&id=68

$300 Incentives for Builders of Energy Star Homes
Georgia Power provides an incentive for home builders to construct new homes which meet Energy Star guidelines. Through this program, builders constructing new efficient homes in Georgia Power's service territory, which utilize electric heating and water heating can receive a $300 incentive to help with the cost of having the home rated. The builder may choose the RESNET certified Home Energy Rater of their choice to rate the house. The rater must review the house plans and perform required testing at completion to qualify the house as ENERGY STAR. Contact: Customer Service, Georgia Power Company, 241 Ralph McGill Boulevard NE, Atlanta, GA 30308; 800-524-2421 Ext.800; 404-506-6526; https://customerservice.southerncompany.com/builder/EnergyStar.aspx

Rebates for Right Choice Builders
Jackson Electric Membership Corporation (EMC) is an electric cooperative that encourages the construction of homes that are energy efficient. Jackson EMC offers the Right Choice Savings Program. Builders who meet the certification standards of the program and build homes that meet certain energy efficiency requirements will be certified as Right Choice builders. Right Choice builders are eligible to receive the following incentives: rebates; reduced or free underground service; third-party review of the size and design of HVAC systems; training and support; inspection and high-tech performance testing by trained technicians; state energy code RES-CHECK compliance certificate; and a one-year comfort warranty and three-year HVAC energy usage warranty backed by Jackson EMC. Contact: Customer Service – Jackson, Jackson Electric Membership Corporation, P.O. Box 38, Jefferson, GA 30549; 706-367-5281; http://www.jacksonemc.com/rightchoice/builder_info.html

Incentives in Commercial Energy Efficiency Rebate Program
Sawnee Electric Membership Corporation (EMC) provides a variety of rebates for commercial customers who wish to upgrade the energy efficiency of their facility. If recommended by a Sawnee Energy Services Representative (ESR), commercial customers can receive rebates for the installation of high efficiency lighting, office equipment, solar film window tinting, energy management systems or programmable thermostats that result in peak demand reduction. Maximum incentives are: Energy Star office equipment $100; programmable thermostats $25 for each HVAC system; lighting $400; solar film window tinting $150; equipment upgrade $500; and energy management system $100. To receive this rebate, the ESR must inspect the facility prior to installation. Contact: Customer Service - Sawnee EMC, Sawnee Electric Membership Corporation, 543 Atlanta Hwy., Cumming, GA 30040; 800-635-9131; Fax: 678-947-3368; http://www.sawnee.com/Energy/incentives.htm