WASHINGTON, Jan. 27 The Environmental Working Group issued the following news release:
A coalition of public interest, environmental and economic justice organizations will convene the first-ever hearing to examine Duke Energy s policies and practices, which have polluted and financially punished its low-income ratepayers and communities of color throughout its vast six-state service area.
The Duke Energy Accountability Coalition, launched last year, includes the People s Commission - an independent watchdog group acting solely in the public interest, free from the political and economic influence Duke wields with regulators, lawmakers and other elected officials throughout its territory.
On Jan. 29, the commission will hold its first virtual hearing to hear testimony from an array of experts and advocates who have worked for years to hold the nation s largest investor-owned utility accountable.
Then, Congress reached an agreement on a COVID-19 relief bill, and everything changed.
The aid bill, which may be voted on Monday, includes $900 billion in help for those struggling from the financial fallout of the pandemic. It also includes a two-year extension for the Solar Investment Tax Credit, which was supposed to phase out for homeowners by the end of next year.
The Solar Investment Tax Credit currently saves homeowners 26% of the cost of their solar installation. Solar panel installations often exceed $10,000 in Indiana, meaning the credit can cut the cost by more than $2,000.
Under the current phase-out plan, the credit would drop to 22% after Dec. 31 this year, and to 0% for homeowners by the end of next year. Businesses would still be able to take a 10% tax credit after that.