Overview

Title

To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to end the investment tax credit for offshore wind facilities in the inland navigable waters of the United States.

ELI5 AI

H. R. 2133 is a plan to change the rules so that people can't get a special money benefit called a "tax credit" if they want to build big windmills in some water areas, but they can still get this help if they're building near the Great Lakes.

Summary AI

H. R. 2133, also known as the "Lakes Before Turbines Act," seeks to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to eliminate the investment tax credit for offshore wind facilities located in the inland navigable waters of the United States, with an exception for the Great Lakes. The change would apply to tax years beginning after December 31, 2022. The bill was introduced by Mr. Langworthy and referred to the Committee on Ways and Means in the House of Representatives.

Published

2025-03-14
Congress: 119
Session: 1
Chamber: HOUSE
Status: Introduced in House
Date: 2025-03-14
Package ID: BILLS-119hr2133ih

Keywords AI

investment tax credit offshore wind facilities internal revenue code inland navigable waters great lakes exclusion tax year 2023 renewable energy environmental impact lakes before turbines act h. r. 2133

Sources

Bill Statistics

Size

Sections:
2
Words:
225
Pages:
2
Sentences:
8

Language

Nouns: 71
Verbs: 15
Adjectives: 15
Adverbs: 0
Numbers: 10
Entities: 25

Complexity

Average Token Length:
4.22
Average Sentence Length:
28.12
Token Entropy:
4.39
Readability (ARI):
16.02

AnalysisAI

Editorial Commentary on H.R. 2133

General Summary of the Bill

H.R. 2133, introduced in the 119th Congress, aims to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. The bill, named the "Lakes Before Turbines Act," seeks to terminate the investment tax credit (ITC) for offshore wind facilities located in the inland navigable waters of the United States. However, the bill notably exempts those facilities located in the Great Lakes. The amendment applies to tax years beginning after December 31, 2022.

Summary of Significant Issues

One of the primary issues with this bill is its potential to curb the development of renewable energy sources, particularly offshore wind facilities. By ending the ITC for such projects, except for those in the Great Lakes, this bill may disincentivize investments in green technologies crucial for environmental sustainability.

Another significant concern revolves around geographic favoritism. The exemption for the Great Lakes appears to single out a specific region without offering a clear rationale or justification. This lack of explanation raises questions about possible bias or favoritism embedded within the proposed legislation.

Furthermore, the ambiguity and lack of transparency in the language used, particularly regarding the exclusion of the Great Lakes, could lead to confusion and misinterpretation. The absence of a clearly articulated reason for the date-specific prohibition of the ITC adds to the uncertainty surrounding the bill’s intentions.

Impact on the Public and Stakeholders

The broader impact of this bill might potentially stifle the momentum of renewable energy projects across various inland waters of the United States. Given the global urgency to shift toward greener energy sources to combat climate change, this legislative move could delay progress toward more sustainable energy practices, impacting the nation’s environmental goals adversely.

Specific stakeholders, such as renewable energy developers and environmental advocates, might view this bill negatively, as it may undermine investment prospects and slow down technological advancements in offshore wind energy. Conversely, industries or entities opposed to wind development in certain inland areas may perceive this bill more favorably, viewing the exclusion of the Great Lakes positively while potentially questioning the motivations behind this singular exemption.

In conclusion, while the intention of H.R. 2133 might be clear to its proponents, the bill’s language and scope prompt significant concerns about its broader implications on renewable energy investment and regional fairness within the United States. It underscores the need for greater transparency and a well-justified rationale to be provided in legislating important energy policies affecting the country’s environmental future.

Issues

  • The prohibition of the Investment Tax Credit (ITC) for certain offshore wind facilities after 2022, as stated in Section 2, might limit the development of renewable energy sources, potentially leading to negative environmental impacts by discouraging investment in green technologies.

  • Section 2 appears to single out a specific geographic region, excluding the Great Lakes from the ITC prohibition, without clear justification or context, raising concerns about favoritism or bias.

  • The language in Section 2 specifying 'other than any of the Great Lakes' may be unclear or ambiguous without additional context or explanation as to why these areas are excluded from the prohibition.

  • There is a lack of transparency in the bill, as Section 2 does not provide a rationale for the decision to prohibit the ITC for offshore wind facilities after 2022, which could lead to public concern regarding the motives behind the amendment.

Sections

Sections are presented as they are annotated in the original legislative text. Any missing headers, numbers, or non-consecutive order is due to the original text.

1. Short title Read Opens in new tab

Summary AI

The first section of the bill gives it a short title as the “Lakes Before Turbines Act.”

2. ITC for certain offshore wind facilities prohibited after 2022 Read Opens in new tab

Summary AI

The section prohibits the investment tax credit (ITC) for offshore wind facilities located in the inland navigable waters of the United States, except for those in the Great Lakes, for tax years starting after December 31, 2022.