BUDGET ALERT
OPPOSE – SOLAR PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION VIA BUDGET ACT
SB 871 AND AB 1475
Date: June 13, 2014
To:
Members of the California Legislature
RE:
OPPOSE – SOLAR PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION VIA BUDGET BILL
We, the undersigned, which includes the state’s 58 counties, special districts, renewable energy
companies, and others, OPPOSE attempts to extend the solar property tax exemption beyond
its current sunset date, January 1, 2017 via the 2014-15 budget process.
THERE IS NO IMMEDIATE THREAT TO LOSING PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION – EXPIRES IN 2
YEARS

The property tax exemption does not expire for another two years - January 1, 2017
AN EXTENSION SHOULD GO THROUGH THE NORMAL LEGISLATIVE PROCESS AND BE
TRANSPARENT


Proponents of this proposal have the time to introduce legislation which would allow
every impacted party the opportunity to openly debate the feasibility of providing a
state subsidy to one renewable technology and to more thoroughly examine the costs
and benefits to the state and local economies.
Moreover, the issue was never heard in the budget subcommittees of either House and
there is no LAO Analysis of the policy and fiscal impacts
For these reasons the undersigned parties request that the 2014-15 budget bill not include an
extension of the property tax exemption for solar resources.
Sincerely,
California State Association of Counties
Rural County Representatives of California
California Manufacturers and Technology Association
California Biomass Energy Alliance
Geysers Geothermal Association
Ormat
Sierra Pacific Industries
Terra-Gen Power
Bottle Rock Power, LLC
Enpower Corporation
San Gorgonio Farms
Association of Healthcare Districts
California Special Districts Association
California Wind Energy Association
Geothermal Energy Association
Calpine
Covanta
DG Fairhaven
U.S. Geothermal
Wadham Energy LP
Thermasource, Inc.