THE ENERGY POLICY ACT OF 2005
 The Energy Policy Act of 2005 was signed by President Bush in August 2005, and took effect on Jan. 1, 2006.
EPAct, as it's being called, is a thick package of federal legislation intended to establish a comprehensive, long-term energy policy for the United States. It addresses a multitude of the nation's energy issues, from the harnessing of ocean-wave power to establishing a new date for the start of Daylight Savings Time.
EPAct also contains a wide range of tax incentives and loan guarantees designed to spur the country toward broader energy savings.
Of great interest to the electrical industry is the provision that offers tax deductions for building upgrades or new construction that utilizes energy-efficient products and equipment.
The details are complex, and some are still waiting to be finalized, but in short: If the owners of a commercial building spend money that results in significant energy savings, such as a lighting upgrade, the owners of that building can write off that expense at tax time.
In other words, a lighting upgrade will not only slash a building's utility bill, it can also be installed for free, so to speak.
Naturally, this affords a tremendous opportunity. Building owners see the obvious benefits, contractors have a can't-miss sales pitch, and electrical distributors can get busy keeping those contractors stocked.
Taking full advantage of EPAct requires some study time. Contractors and distributors need to be fully aware of EPAct's details before they can make promises they're certain they can keep.
Here are some links to further your knowledge of EPAct and its provisions.
Osram Sylvania's 16-page booklet "The Impact of EPAct 2005"
This is a helpful, information handout that addresses specifics of how EPAct affects the lighting industry. It includes a summary of new lighting requirements and is packed with charts and graphics that explain how certain Sylvania products can meet or exceed EPAct's requirements.
Advance ballast and lighting EPAct information site
This site is loaded with background information about EPAct 2005 and includes a link to sign up for Advance's Lighting the Way newsletter, a monthly publication devoted to EPAct news and information.
U.S. Department of Energy's "What the Energy Bill Means to You"
This is a short overview of tax credits available to individual consumers who purchase energy-efficient doors, roofs, heaters, etc.
NEMA's assessment of EPAct
The National Electrical Manufacturers Association addresses the legislation's finer points in this 18-page handout that publicizes NEMA's official position on the Energy Policy Act.
Commercial Building Tax Deduction Coalition info page
The coalition worked with NEMA's Lighting Systems Division to create this useful site. Included is a question-and-answer page that cuts through EPAct's bureaucratic language to provide simple translations of complex regulations.
Full text of the Energy Policy Act of 2005
This is a PDF file that takes some time to download. The act "to ensure jobs for our future with secure, affordable, and reliable energy," as it says on the title page, contains 550 pages.
Deduction for Energy Efficient Commercial Buildings, Notice 2006-52
Official Internal Revenue Service guidelines for claiming an EPAct tax deduction
TIAP
The IRS guidelines are summarized by the Tax Incentives Assistance Project, a coalition of nonprofit groups, government agencies and other efficient-energy organizations.
Web surfers' information collective
This is the Wikipedia entry on EPAct 2005. If you're not familiar with Wikipedia, it's an online encyclopedia compiled and updated by anyone who cares to make an entry. In general, it's an accurate, informative site that can be extremely useful when you're researching any topic imaginable. The downside is that "vandal" contributors have been known to post inaccurate information.
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