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Projects Updates for Carbon-Neutral Energy for Campus

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  1. Small Solar at Energy Farm

    Associated Project(s): 
    Carbon-Neutral Energy for Campus

     

     

     

    Energy Tax Credit Form

    Webtools Form 447240223 submitted by:
    Tim Mies 
    College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (KL), Department of Crop Sciences (802), Staff
    11/09/2023 11:52 A.M.

    Thank you for submitting the Energy Tax Credit Form. The applicable University Liaison will contact you after it has been reviewed.

    1. Location:
    UIUC

    2. Applicant College/Department:
    Crop Sciences

    3. Project number and/or building (if applicable):
    near Energy Farm

    4. Anticipated beginning of construction date:
    2/1/2024

    5. Anticipated placed in service date:
    6/1/2024

    6. Total project budget (basis or cost):
    91,000

    7. Estimated construction costs (only include total energy project cost, including contingency):
    81,600

    8. Will the property be owned by the university as a depreciable asset?
    Yes

    9. Will the property be financed with tax-exempt bonds?
    No

    10. If yes, what percentage of the property is financed with tax-exempt bonds?

    11. Is the energy property funded by a restricted grant or restricted forgivable loan**?
    No

    12. If yes, what amount is funded by a restricted grant or restricted forgivable loan?

    13. Provide a brief description of the project and the energy component that may qualify for the tax credit:
    Project will connect existing 15kw solar panels to campus electrical grid.

    14. Briefly describe the proposed intended use of the tax credit funds:
    Funds will be used to support campus ICAP efforts

    15. What tax credit is applicable for the project?
    Investment tax credit IRC Section 48: qualified energy property or technology (Appendix A)

    16. Is this energy property funded by a grant made under Section 1603 of the American Recovery and Reinvestment of 2009 (The 1603 Program: Payments for Specified Energy Property in lieu of Tax Credits)?
    No

    17. Which of the following options describes the property?
    equipment which uses solar energy to generate electricity, to heat or cool (or provide hot water for use in) a structure, or to provide solar process heat, except property used to generate energy for the purposes of heating a swimming pool, or

    18. Is there qualified interconnection property associated with the project?
    No

    19. If yes, what is the basis (cost) of any qualified interconnection property associated with the energy project?

    20. Is the property part of a clean hydrogen production facility?
    No

    21. Does the project meet one (1) of the following requirements (five (5) times base credit amount for a total of 30%)?
    Yes

    22. If yes, which requirement is met?
    Item #1

    23. Does the project meet the domestic content bonus credit**?
    No

    24. Is the project located in an energy community**?
    No

    25. Do you want to proceed?
    Yes

    53. Submission and Liaisons
    Timothy Mies, Director Energy Farm Operations, 11/09/2023

     

     

     

     

     

     

    --------------------------

    Hi Angie,

     

    I’ve reviewed this form (actually, Tim filled it out while I was with him), and I agree this small solar installation at UIUC should qualify for the IRA Tax Credit.  I understand that the next step is for you to review it, and then forward it to the Treasury Office for their review and processing.

     

    Please let me and Tim know if you have any questions.

     

    Thanks,

    Morgan

    -----------------------------

     

    Morgan,

     

    Is this project actually a solar installation or just the interconnection?

     

    From below:

    “Project will connect existing 15kw solar panels to campus electrical grid.”

     

    If this is not the purchase/construction of solar panels for original use, it is not property as described under Section 48:

    equipment which uses solar energy to generate electricity, to heat or cool (or provide hot water for use in) a structure, or to provide solar process heat, except property used to generate energy for the purposes of heating a swimming pool,

     

    I’m happy to set up a time to discuss if that helps.

     

    Kimberly A. Maxwell, CPA

    ----------------------------

    Hi Tim and Rob,

     

    I’d like your perspective on this question about the small solar at the Energy Farm.  If you would like to discuss it, please let me know who to include in a call with the tax office.

     

    Thank you,

    Morgan

    ------------------------------

    Hi Morgan,

     

    Happy to discuss this further to determine if this project can meet the requirements for the credit.  Do we want to discuss internally first?

     

    Best,
    Tim

  3. Internships and Volunteer Opportunities to Protect the Environment

    Associated Project(s): 
    Green Jobs
    Carbon-Neutral Energy for Campus

    From: Liv Clafford

    Hi Professor,

    My name is Liv and I’m with the University of Illinois Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) Campus Action club. Illinois PIRG Campus Action is a student activist group working on important issues on campus like environmental protection, college affordability, non-partisan voter registration, and more!

    This semester, we have in-person and virtual, internship and volunteer opportunities for students to learn valuable organizing skills and make a real difference in our community. 

    Can we make a quick 5 minute announcement in your class next week? Please let us know if we are able to do this in person or virtually.

    For the past 40 years we have been working on college campuses to amplify the power of student activism. We know students want to make a difference on important issues like banning single use plastics or making college more affordable. 

    We’re looking for students who are passionate about these issues and want to put their knowledge into action.  We work with student interns and train them to run effective, strategic campaigns.  

    If we are not able to make an announcement, can you send the information below to your students? 

    Thanks so much for the help!


    Liv Clafford

    773-710-4089
    lclafford at illinoispirgstudents.org

  5. archived info - previous project description, pre iCAP 2020

    Associated Project(s): 
    Carbon-Neutral Energy for Campus

    Assuming that our conservation efforts will cut our energy needs in half, we will have to find ways to produce and/or purchase roughly 250,000 MWh/yr of electricity and 250,000 MWh/yr of heat in a carbon-neutral manner.  Campus has made good progress in reducing GHG emissions since FY08, largely due to improvements in the energy efficiency of buildings.  Looking ahead, we expect to see continued reductions due to improvements in energy efficiency and additional energy conservation efforts.  However, in order to achieve zero GHG emissions, it is also necessary to change the way we generate, distribute, and purchase power.