Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Howard County Approves 10 Year Tax Abatemeent for Wind Farm

From the Kokomo Tribune:

Ten-year tax abatements for two phases of the proposed Wildcat Wind Farm have been approved.
Howard County Council members voted unanimously Tuesday in favor of E-on Climate & Renewables’ request for the tax abatements for the project in the eastern part of the county.

Andy Melka, project manager for E-on, said the company will invest over $200 million in the county.

“The tax abatement is the best way to move the project forward,” he said. “All the wind farms in Indiana have received the tax abatements.”

Melka said the company intends to invest $38 million during phase two and $180 million in phase three.

He said during the abatement period, the company will pay $1 million in taxes for phase one and $5.2 million for phase two. Once the abatements expire, the company will pay $1 million to $1.2 million annually in taxes.

Phase two will be located in Howard and Grant counties, with up to 65 turbines generating 100 megawatts of power. Phase three is also in Howard and Grant counties, generating up to 120 megawatts of electricity with up to 125 turbines.

A megawatt provides electrical energy to 1,000 homes. An average commercial generating plant produces between 700 and 900 megawatts of electricity.
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http://kokomotribune.com/local/x1395098037/Wind-farm-tax-abatement-approved