WAMU 88.5 : Morning Edition

Filed Under:

MoCo Looks To End Renewable Energy Subsidies

By: Matt Bush // September 21, 2011
Play associated audio
comments
The Montgomery County Council is considering ending tax credits for people that install residential solar installations.
Matt Bush
The Montgomery County Council is considering ending tax credits for people that install residential solar installations.

Council members in Montgomery County are looking to stop a program that offers property tax credits for homeowners who install solar and geothermal power devices in their homes.

There appears to be unanimous support to suspend the program, but the reason for ending the subsidies depends on who you talk to. Council vice president Roger Berliner says it's because the program has done its job. He notes that so many people signed up for the program, it now has a five to eight year waiting list.

Councilman George Leventhal disputes that, blaming differing priorities in tight budget times. "I wouldn't call this a success story. I think the county really has not kept pace with our constituents' demand and strong interest," he says.

Berliner also points out that renewable technologies have become much more affordable. 

"When we first put in this program, the cost of renewable energy was considerably higher than it is today," he says. "And we don't need to be as generous with this as this program has been."

Before the program can be suspended, the council must hold a public hearing on the matter -- which it will do next month.

Related Links

Arts & Culture

NPR

China Builds Museums ... But Will The Visitors Come?

China is on a spree to build world-class museums and has opened about 100 of them annually in recent years. Two of the biggest opened on the same day last fall on opposite banks of Shanghai's Huangpu River. But filling these museums — with both art and visitors — is proving more challenging.

Food

NPR

Nutrition Group Says Chocolate Milk Is OK, No Need For Aspartame

The nation's largest group of nutritionists is urging the FDA to reject the dairy industry's petition to change the definition of milk. The petition aims to allow aspartame or other alternatives to be used to sweeten milk in an effort to boost consumption in schools.

Politics

NPR

IRS Official In Charge Of Nonprofits Declines To Testify

Lois Lerner, who heads the IRS division dealing with nonprofits seeking tax-exempt status, will not testify on Wednesday despite a congressional subpoena, her attorney says.

Technology

NPR

Microsoft Reveals New Xbox One Game System

Microsoft unveiled its new Xbox One Tuesday, displaying a device that takes new steps in game consoles' journey into becoming all-purpose entertainment and communication devices. The new console replaces the Xbox 360, which has been on the market for more than seven years.

Leave a Comment

Help keep the conversation civil. Please refer to our Terms of Use and Code of Conduct before posting your comments.