Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Legislature passes tax relief bill aimed to bring ethane 'cracker' plant to West Virginia


CHARLESTON -- On a 33-0 vote the West Virginia Senate has passed a bill designed to help attract an ethane steam cracker plant to West Virginia by lowering the amount of property taxes a developer would pay to build and operate such a plant.
The bill, House Bill 4086, passed the Senate today after earlier passing in the House of Delegates.
Following the bill's passage in the Senate, Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin issued the following statement.
"To spur economic development, attracting an ethane steam cracker has been my number one goal and I am so pleased, with this vote, the Legislature has sent a clear signal that they are joining me in this effort.
"It is through bipartisan support, like this and that of last month's historic Horizontal Well Act Relating to Marcellus Shale, that we show potential investors West Virginia is ready and willing to take the development of our vast natural gas reserves to the next level in order to help address our country's energy needs and expand our manufacturing sector.
"This tax relief bill, I believe, showcases our State's commitment to being a great business partner today and long into the future," said Tomblin.
The governor proposed H.B. 4086 which reduces personal property taxes for a company that builds an ethane cracker in West Virginia that has a minimum of $2 billion in investment. Instead of taxing the property at 5 percent of it is original value for 10 years, the bill extends the salvage value tax treatment of 5 percent for 25 years.


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