Renewable energy
Unreported in the RMN is a major stumbling block in advancing renewable resource energy. From The Fort Collins Coloradoan’s 1/17/07 article, Ritter, Democrats outline renewable-energy economy plan, was a hint regarding the Personal Property Tax’s (PPT) impact on renewable developments, 17 Jan 2007. PPT is serious issue for turbine operators. The newer machines’ cost of installation and infrastructure is about $3.5M each. Approximately $2M is the nacelle (cabin on top) and its rotor, directional system, shaft, bearings, gear box, generator(s), transformer and various required parts plus the meter, switches, wiring, elevator, hoist, etc; all usually called personal property. Tax at the usual rate is a heavy burden, offsetting some of the renewable, generated production. What better incentive would there be for immediate development of the community and state economy than to strongly or completely reduce this burden on a industry trying to get significantly started in Colorado?
Jim Newcomb
Fort Collins
This letter has not been edited.