One federal grant and two Ohio property tax incentives support residential wind power.
The state of Ohio does not offer any grants for residential wind power, according to the Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency. However, one federal grant, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's High Energy Cost Grant Program, as well as two property tax incentives unique to Ohio, are available to help subsidize residential investments in wind power.
High Energy Grant Program Overview & Eligibility
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has offered grants for energy distribution, generation and transmission facilities since 2000. This includes wind power, as well as other renewable energy sources, like solar and hydroelectric. In addition to residential entities, private businesses, nonprofit agencies and state, local and tribal governments are eligible to apply. Furthermore, eligibility is restricted to rural areas with energy costs that are at least 275 percent of the national average. Finally, High Energy Grant Program applicants must demonstrate how their project will benefit the entire the community.
High-Energy Grant Program Funding Levels & Application
Successful applicants to the High Energy Grant Program receive from $75,000 to $5 million, depending on the nature and scope of their renewable energy or energy efficiency projects. For fiscal year 2010, the program was authorized to award up to $15.5 million.
To apply, interested parties must wait for the USDA to publish a Notice of Funding Availability on their website, the Federal Register and Grants.gov. Complete applications must be completed online through Grants.gov and include an executive summary, table of contents, applicant and community eligibility details, project goals and design, a proposed budget and forms and certifications as outline in the NOFA.
Cleveland Tax Abatement for Green Buildings
The Cleveland city government offers a partial tax abatement for residential properties constructed or renovated in accordance with the Cleveland Green Building Standard. The abatement covers the amount of the increased property tax that results from the energy-related improvement. Partial single-family units may be eligible for tax abatement, even if the entire structure is not up to the Green Building Standard. In addition to wind power, residential improvements involving daylighting, geothermal heat pumps, photovoltaics and various solar technologies are eligible for this incentive.
Cincinnati Tax Abatement for Green Buildings
The Cincinnati city government offers property tax incentives for residential or commercial buildings within city limits that are built or improved to meet Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification standards. Eligible residential structures may have up to three units, while residential units with four or more are considered commercial structures. Residential buildings receive a 100 percent tax abatement for 10 years for renovations to existing buildings and 15 years for the construction of new buildings with wind power technologies. Unless a residential unit has received LEED Platinum certification, the maximum improved value for residential units is $530,450. For commercial structures, the 100 percent abatement is available for 12 years for renovations to existing buildings and 15 years for the construction of new structures. There is no maximum improved value for improvements to commercial buildings. In addition to wind power, improvements that use daylighting, photovoltaics and various solar technologies are also eligible.
Tags: wind power, Grant Program, High Energy, Energy Grant, Energy Grant Program, High Energy Grant
