HEAT legislation passed to assist with the high cost of winter heating:
http://www.mass.gov/legis/laws/seslaw05/s1050140.htm
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$800 income tax deduction for home heating expenses for individuals who make less than $50,000 per year/families up to $75,000.
- Tax credit of up to $600 for the purchase of energy-saving products such as high-efficiency furnaces, home insulation, new window installation, etc.
- Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funding increases from 7.5 to 20 million. Households with incomes up to 200% of Federal Poverty level would receive a maximum benefit of $545 for electric or gas heat, and a maximum of $675 for oil, propane or kerosene heat.
- Established a 15% or $300 tax credit for businesses that install solar water heating systems.
- Extends a tax credit to developers, owners and tenants of multi-family and commercial- residential buildings who invest in measures to increase energy efficiency and reduce environmental impacts.
- Renewable Energy Trust Fund to partner with state and private entities to develop fuel cell technology.
