Arizona Senate OKs solar industry incentives bill - The Business Journal of Milwaukee:

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Senate Bill 1403 passed the stateSenatew 16-12. The measure, which has the suppor of business interests and solar now moves to the Arizona Houseof Representatives. The , president Michael Crow, Phoenix Mayodr Phil Gordon and president Michae l Bidwill are main backers of the solarincentives bill, arguing it will help the state attract solaf and renewable energy investments and jobs. Bidwill is the currentf chairmanof GPEC, the region’es main business attraction SB 1403 offers tax incentives for businessee locating alternative and solar energy manufacturinb plants and corporate headquarters in the state.
There are some companiob tax and incentive bills that are also beinb considered bythe Legislature. Backers say Arizona needs to have speciatax breaks, incentives and credits for the solad industry to compete for such jobs and investmentsa with other U.S. states, including Texas, New Mexico and Oregon. Barry president and CEO of GPEC, said he was pleased the Senate passed the bill and was looking for the Houss to take quick action onthe “I think the biggest challenge for us is that the bill sat for a littls too long,” he said.
“We can’t drag our feet on this Arizona has been in the running for severalo solar manufacturing facilities in the past but has lost out to stateas such as Oregon and New GPEC sees this as a way to level theplaying field, Broome said. “This is an industrg Arizona really has a chance to he said. Critics question giving special tax treatments to a specificvindustry (which has struggled to show viabilityu and profitability) and creating new tax breaks when the state face s a $4 billion deficitt and is thinking about raising sales taxes on “Nothing against renewable energy, but if low taxes are good for one aren’t they good for everyone,” said Steve president of the .
“Do we really want to advocat e special treatment for some companiees at the expense of everyone GPEC and others pushed for solar energyg incentives and tax credits last year but the progran failed to gain final approval from former governort Janet Napolitano andthe Legislature. Solatr energy boosters have beenlobbying Napolitano’s successor, Gov. Jan Brewer, to back the