NEMA Convenes Coalition For Understanding Commercial Building Tax Deduction


ROSSLYN, Va., October 17, 2005. The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) recently convened a coalition of organizations interested in educating the community about the commercial buildings tax deduction provision of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 and promoting its proper implementation and use. NEMA President Evan Gaddis, who chaired the meeting, "noted that it is vital that the community join together, properly understand this provision, and develop some consensus positions on its implementation. The better communication we have among all stakeholders, the more efficiency and effectiveness we'll have in the implementation process. This will serve the interests of industry, the government, and the public."

The Energy Policy Act of 2005 establishes a new deduction for expenses incurred for energy-efficient commercial building property. The deduction is equal to energy-efficient commercial building property expenditures made by the taxpayer, subject to a cap. The provision applies both to new construction and retrofits that are placed in service after December 31, 2005, and prior to January 1, 2008. The new coalition will provide information and implementation guidance to its members, as well as to government officials.

The coalition meeting was held on October 13 at the University Club of Washington, D.C. Participants included the North American Insulation Manufacturers Association, Alliance to Save Energy, Consortium for Energy Efficiency, National Association of State Energy Officials, National Association of Electrical Distributors, Building Owners and Managers Association, American Institute of Architects, National Electrical Contractors Association, National Association of Electrical Distributors, IMARK Group, and Polyisocyanurate Insulation Manufacturers. Membership in the coalition is open to all interested parties. NEMA has established an e-mail account to handle requests for more information on the coalition and its goals: efficientbuildings@nema.org. The next coalition meeting is scheduled for November 1, 2005.

NEMA is the leading trade association in the United States representing the interests of electroindustry manufacturers. Founded in 1926 and headquartered near Washington, D.C., its 400 member companies manufacture products used in the generation, transmission and distribution, control, and end-use of electricity. Domestic shipments of electrical products within the NEMA scope exceed $100 billion.

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