The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute last week today announced its support of legislation from Senators Leahy and Sanders and Congressman Welch that provides consumers with a 25% tax credit towards the purchase of alternative energy powered lawn, garden and forestry power equipment.
According to the Leahy, Sanders and Welch offices, this "tax credit to purchase clean lawn and garden equipment would give Americans a powerful incentive to operate clean, alternative energy power equipment that will reduce our dependence on imported oil."
The industry currently offer a range of alternative energy powered equipment from battery, electric, hybrids, propane and solar to compressed natural gas and diesel. It has been working on creating low emission products since it became regulated. The OPEI says that the industry has reduced emission by 95% in the past 15 years.
Manufacturers such as the Ariens Company welcome the legislation. CEO Daniel Ariens believes that the initiative that will not only spread the use of non-polluting equipment, but will also encourage manufacturers to continue to develop new, alternative technologies.
Product purchases that qualify for the 25% tax credit include equipment that:
- is powered by a motor drawing current from solar, electricity, or rechargeable or replacement batteries,
- has a hybrid-electric drive train and/or cutting system powered by a generator or electrical storage device combined with a small engine, or
- is powered by alternative power sources and regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency.