New business energy tax credits (often known as BETC) are available for nursery and greenhouse owners based in Oregon. The incentives are part of the Oregon Department of Energy’s new Simple Premium Projects program, which has $1.7 million in funding.

According to officials, the paperwork is much simpler than past BETC programs. Business owners may be eligible if they purchase certain energy-saving devices, such as condesing boilers, unit heaters, thermal curtains, under-bench heating, intelligent greenhouse controllers with night setback, piping insulation, and a host of irrigation items, such as sprinklers and variable frequency drives.

Those interested must apply for the benefit before making the purchase. There is a $60 up-front processing fee. Upon completion, the applicant must also pay 0.5 percent of the project cost as a fee toward final certification. Other requirements apply.

The available funding of $1.7 million will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis and could go fast, so those interested are urged to submit their applications in a timely manner. For complete information and technical specifications of qualifying improvements, log on to ODE’s Simple Premium Projects website.