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House approves tax credit for home conversions to cleaner fuel; electricity added by amendment
Summary
The House passed House Bill 420 to offer homeowners a tax credit (up to 50% of conversion cost, maximum $500) to switch from dirtier heating fuels to cleaner alternatives. An amendment added electricity to the list of qualifying fuels and changed certification procedures.
House Bill 420, sponsored by Representative Ellerton, would give a tax credit of up to 50% of installation costs (capped at $500) to individuals who convert home heating systems from oil, coal, wood or other high‑pollution fuels to cleaner alternatives.
"This provides a tax credit to the individual... up to of of 50% of the cost of installation of a clean burning fuel type furnace with a maximum of $500," Representative Ellerton said while explaining the bill and later moved amendments that included electricity as an eligible clean fuel and adjusted the certification process to the executive secretary rather than a board.
Representative Garr cautioned that some rural residents depend on wood or coal because electricity or other fuels are unaffordable: "there are some areas... the only fuel they can use is either wood or coal." Fiscal concerns were also raised about the bill's assumed number of conversions and the source of funding for the credit. Representative Ellerton said the tax commission's fiscal estimate might be high but defended the program as a way to improve air quality along the Wasatch Front.
The House approved the bill as amended by voice and recorded vote, 57–11, and referred it to the Senate.
