Legislative Correspondence_energy Efficiency and Conservation Block GrantREPLY To
❑ 135 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING
WASHINGTON, DC 20510 -1501
(202) 224 -3744
e -mail: grassley.senate.govicontact.cfm
❑ 721 FEDERAL BUILDING
210 WALNUT STREET
DES MOINES, IA 50309 -2140
(515) 288-1145
❑ 1501ST AVENUE NE
SUITE 325
CEDAR RAPIDS, IA 52401
(319) 363-6832
CEG /cs
RANKING MEMBER,
FINANCE
The Honorable Roy D. Buol
50 West 13th Street
Dubuque, Iowa 52001
Dear Mayor Buol:
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CHARLES E. GRASSLEY
WASHINGTON, DC 20510 -1501
August 9, 2010
Thank you for taking the time to contact me. As your senator, it is important for me to hear from
you. Please accept my apology for the delay in my response.
I appreciate hearing your support for the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant
(EECBG) Program. I have long supported tax incentives to foster the development of renewable
energy and encourage conservation. As then - Chairman of the tax- writing Finance Committee, I
helped establish tax incentives for energy efficient homes as part of the Energy Policy Act of
2005. The Energy Policy Act of 2005 included a 10% tax credit for energy - efficient home
improvements, such as windows, doors, roofs, insulation, and certain heating and cooling
systems. Separately, the Energy Policy Act of 2005 established a 30 percent energy efficient
property credit for the cost of photovoltaic property, solar water heating property and fuel cell
property. However, these credits were only enacted on a temporary basis, which means
Congress has to take action to extend them on a regular basis.
In 2008, as ranking member of the tax- writing Finance Committee, I worked with Chairman
Baucus to enact bipartisan legislation to extend expired and expiring tax provisions, including for
efficiency and conservation. This legislation reinstated the tax credit for energy - efficient home
improvements for 2009, extended the energy - efficient property tax credit to 2016 and expanded
this credit to include geothermal heat pumps and small wind energy property.
Congress is now beginning the appropriations process and will determine the funding provided
for federal programs for fiscal year 2011. While I do not sit on the Senate Appropriations
Committee, I will certainly keep your thoughts in mind during the appropriations process.
Again, thank you for contacting me. I appreciate hearing your views. Keep in touch!
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Sincerely,
Charles E. Grassley
United States Senator
Committee Assignments:
BUDGET
JUDICIARY
AGRICULTURE
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❑ 210 WATERLOO BUILDING
531 COMMERCIAL STREET
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REPLY To:
307 FEDERAL BUILDING
8 SOUTH 6TH STREET
COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA 51501 -4204
(712) 322 -7103
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