Ohio § 5727.75

Full text of Ohio Ohio Revised Code § 5727.75, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 5727.75.

(A) For purposes of this section: (1) “ Qualified energy project ” means an energy project certified by the director of development pursuant to this

section. (2) “ Energy project ” means a project to provide electric power through the construction, installation,

and use of an energy facility. (3) “ Alternative energy zone ” means a county declared as such by the board of county commissioners under division

(E)(1)(b) or (c) of this section. (4) “ Full-time equivalent employee ” means the total number of employee-hours for which compensation was paid to individuals

employed at a qualified energy project for services performed at the project during

the calendar year divided by two thousand eighty hours. For the purpose of this calculation, “ performed at the project ” includes only hours worked at the qualified energy project and devoted to site preparation

or protection, construction and installation, and the unloading and distribution of

materials at the project site, but does not include hours worked by superintendents,

owners, manufacturers' representatives, persons employed in a bona fide executive,

management, supervisory, or administrative capacity, or persons whose sole employment

on the project is transporting materials or persons to the project site. (5) “ Solar energy project ” means an energy project composed of an energy facility using solar panels to generate

electricity. (6) “Internet identifier of record” has the same meaning as in section 9.312 of the Revised Code . (7) “ Applicable year ” means the later of the following: (a) The tax year in which the secretary of the treasury of the United States, or the

secretary's delegate, determines, in accordance with section 45Y of the Internal Revenue Code , that the annual greenhouse gas emissions from the production of electricity in the

United States are equal to or less than twenty-five per cent of the annual greenhouse

gas emissions from the production of electricity in the United States for calendar

year 2022; (b) Tax year 2029. (8) “ Internal Revenue Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code as of October 3, 2023. (B)(1) Tangible personal property of a qualified energy project using renewable energy resources

is exempt from taxation for tax years 2011 through the applicable year if all of the

following conditions are satisfied: (a) On or before the last day of the tax year preceding the applicable year, the owner

or a lessee pursuant to a sale and leaseback transaction of the project submits an

application to the power siting board for a certificate under section 4906.20 of the Revised Code , or if that section does not apply, submits an application for any approval, consent,

permit, or certificate or satisfies any condition required by a public agency or political

subdivision of this state for the construction or initial operation of an energy project. (b) Construction or installation of the energy facility begins on or after January 1,

2009, and before the first day of the applicable year. For the purposes of this division, construction begins on the earlier of the date

of application for a certificate or other approval or permit described in division

(B)(1)(a) of this section, or the date the contract for the construction or installation

of the energy facility is entered into. (c) For a qualified energy project with a nameplate capacity of twenty megawatts or greater,

a board of county commissioners of a county in which property of the project is located

has adopted a resolution under division (E)(1)(b) or (c) of this section to approve

the application submitted under division (E) of this section to exempt the property

located in that county from taxation. A board's adoption of a resolution rejecting an application or its failure to adopt

a resolution approving the application does not affect the tax-exempt status of the

qualified energy project's property that is located in another county. (2) If tangible personal property of a qualified energy project using renewable energy

resources was exempt from taxation under this section beginning in any of tax years

2011 through the applicable year, and the certification under division (E)(2) of this

section has not been revoked, the tangible personal property of the qualified energy

project is exempt from taxation for the tax year following the applicable year and

all ensuing tax years if the property was placed into service before the first day

of the tax year following the applicable year, as certified in the construction progress

report required under division (F)(2) of this section. Tangible personal property that has not been placed into service before that date

is taxable property subject to taxation. An energy project for which certification has been revoked is ineligible for further

exemption under this section. Revocation does not affect the tax-exempt status of the project's tangible personal

property for the tax year in which revocation occurs or any prior tax year. (C) Tangible personal property of a qualified energy project using clean coal technology,

advanced nuclear technology, or cogeneration technology is exempt from taxation for

the first tax year that the property would be listed for taxation and all subsequent

years if all of the following circumstances are met: (1) The property was placed into service before January 1, 2021. Tangible personal property that has not been placed into service before that date

is taxable property subject to taxation. (2) For such a qualified energy project with a nameplate capacity of twenty megawatts

or greater, a board of county commissioners of a county in which property of the qualified

energy project is located has adopted a resolution under division (E)(1)(b) or (c)

of this section to approve the application submitted under division (E) of this section

to exempt the property located in that county from taxation. A board's adoption of a resolution rejecting the application or its failure to adopt

a resolution approving the application does not affect the tax-exempt status of the

qualified energy project's property that is located in another county. (3) The certification for the qualified energy project issued under division (E)(2) of

this section has not been revoked. An energy project for which certification has been revoked is ineligible for exemption

under this section. Revocation does not affect the tax-exempt status of the project's tangible personal

property for the tax year in which revocation occurs or any prior tax year. (D) Except as otherwise provided in this section, real property of a qualified energy

project is exempt from taxation for any tax year for which the tangible personal property

of the qualified energy project is exempted under this section. (E)(1)(a) A person may apply to the director of development for certification of an energy

project as a qualified energy project on or before the following dates: (i) The last day of the tax year preceding the applicable year, for an energy project

using renewable energy resources; (ii) December 31, 2017, for an energy project using clean coal technology, advanced nuclear

technology, or cogeneration technology. (b) The director shall forward a copy of each application for certification of an energy

project with a nameplate capacity of twenty megawatts or greater to the board of county

commissioners of each county in which the project is located and to each taxing unit

with territory located in each of the affected counties. Any board that receives from the director a copy of an application submitted under

this division shall adopt a resolution approving or rejecting the application unless

it has adopted a resolution under division (E)(1)(c) of this section. A resolution adopted under division (E)(1)(b) or (c) of this section may require

an annual service payment to be made in addition to the service payment required under

division (G) of this section. The sum of the service payment required in the resolution and the service payment

required under division (G) of this section shall not exceed nine thousand dollars

per megawatt of nameplate capacity located in the county. The resolution shall specify the time and manner in which the payments required

by the resolution shall be paid to the county treasurer. The county treasurer shall deposit the payment to the credit of the county's general

fund to be used for any purpose for which money credited to that fund may be used. The board shall send copies of the resolution to the owner of the facility and the

director by certified mail or, if the board has record of an internet identifier of

record associated with the owner or director, by ordinary mail and by that internet

identifier of record. The board shall send such notice within thirty days after receipt of the application,

or a longer period of time if authorized by the director. (c) A board of county commissioners may adopt a resolution declaring the county to be

an alternative energy zone and declaring all applications submitted to the director

of development under this division after the adoption of the resolution, and prior

to its repeal, to be approved by the board. All tangible personal property and real property of an energy project with a nameplate

capacity of twenty megawatts or greater is taxable if it is located in a county in

which the board of county commissioners adopted a resolution rejecting the application

submitted under this division or failed to adopt a resolution approving the application

under division (E)(1)(b) or (c) of this section. (2) The director shall certify an energy project if all of the following circumstances

exist: (a) The application was timely submitted. (b) For an energy project with a nameplate capacity of twenty megawatts or greater, a

board of county commissioners of at least one county in which the project is located

has adopted a resolution approving the application under division (E)(1)(b) or (c)

of this section. (c) No portion of the project's facility was used to supply electricity before December

31, 2009. (d) For construction or installation of a qualified energy project described in division

(B)(1)(b) of this section, that the project is subject to wage requirements described

in section 45(b)(7)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code and apprenticeship requirements described in section 45(b)(8)(A)(i) of the Internal Revenue Code , provided both of the following apply: (i) The person applies for such certificate after October 3, 2023. (ii) A board of commissioners of at least one county in which the project is located is

required to adopt a resolution approving the application under division (E)(1)(b)

or (c) of this section. (3) The director shall deny a certification application if the director determines the

person has failed to comply with any requirement under this section. The director may revoke a certification if the director determines the person, or

subsequent owner or lessee pursuant to a sale and leaseback transaction of the qualified

energy project, has failed to comply with any requirement under this section. Upon certification or revocation, the director shall notify the person, owner, or

lessee, the tax commissioner, and the county auditor of a county in which the project

is located of the certification or revocation. Notice shall be provided in a manner convenient to the director. (F) The owner or a lessee pursuant to a sale and leaseback transaction of a qualified

energy project shall do each of the following: (1) Comply with all applicable regulations; (2) File with the director of development a certified construction progress report before

the first day of March of each year during the energy facility's construction or installation

indicating the percentage of the project completed, and the project's nameplate capacity,

as of the preceding thirty-first day of December. Unless otherwise instructed by the director of development, the owner or lessee

of an energy project shall file a report with the director on or before the first

day of March each year after completion of the energy facility's construction or installation

indicating the project's nameplate capacity as of the preceding thirty-first day of

December. Not later than sixty days after June 17, 2010, the owner or lessee of an energy

project, the construction of which was completed before June 17, 2010, shall file

a certificate indicating the project's nameplate capacity. (3) File with the director of development, in a manner prescribed by the director, a

report of the total number of full-time equivalent employees, and the total number

of full-time equivalent employees domiciled in Ohio, who are employed in the construction

or installation of the energy facility; (4) For energy projects with a nameplate capacity of twenty megawatts or greater, repair

all roads, bridges, and culverts affected by construction as reasonably required to

restore them to their preconstruction condition, as determined by the county engineer

in consultation with the local jurisdiction responsible for the roads, bridges, and

culverts. In the event that the county engineer deems any road, bridge, or culvert to be inadequate

to support the construction or decommissioning of the energy facility, the road, bridge,

or culvert shall be rebuilt or reinforced to the specifications established by the

county engineer prior to the construction or decommissioning of the facility. The owner or lessee of the facility shall post a bond in an amount established by

the county engineer and to be held by the board of county commissioners to ensure

funding for repairs of roads, bridges, and culverts affected during the construction. The bond shall be released by the board not later than one year after the date the

repairs are completed. The energy facility owner or lessee pursuant to a sale and leaseback transaction

shall post a bond, as may be required by the Ohio power siting board in the certificate

authorizing commencement of construction issued pursuant to section 4906.10 of the Revised Code , to ensure funding for repairs to roads, bridges, and culverts resulting from decommissioning

of the facility. The energy facility owner or lessee and the county engineer may enter into an agreement

regarding specific transportation plans, reinforcements, modifications, use and repair

of roads, financial security to be provided, and any other relevant issue. (5) Provide or facilitate training for fire and emergency responders for response to

emergency situations related to the energy project and, for energy projects with a

nameplate capacity of twenty megawatts or greater, at the person's expense, equip

the fire and emergency responders with proper equipment as reasonably required to

enable them to respond to such emergency situations; (6)(a) Except as otherwise provided in this division, for projects for which certification

as a qualified energy project was applied for, under division (E) of this section,

before October 3, 2023, maintain a ratio of Ohio-domiciled full-time equivalent employees

employed in the construction or installation of the energy project to total full-time

equivalent employees employed in the construction or installation of the energy project

of not less than eighty per cent in the case of a solar energy project, and not less

than fifty per cent in the case of any other energy project. A person applying for such a qualified energy project may certify to the director

of development that the project will be voluntarily subject to the wage requirements

described in section 45(b)(7)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code and apprenticeship requirements described in section 45(b)(8)(A)(i) of the Internal Revenue Code as authorized in division (F)(6)(b) of this section. Upon receipt of that certification, the project shall comply with division (F)(6)(b)

of this section rather than division (F)(6)(a) of this section. (b) For projects for which certification as a qualified energy project was applied for,

under division (E) of this section, on or after October 3, 2023, maintain a ratio

of Ohio-domiciled full-time equivalent employees employed in the construction or installation

of the energy project to total full-time equivalent employees employed in the construction

or installation of the energy project of not less than seventy per cent in the case

of a solar energy project, and not less than fifty per cent in the case of any other

energy project. (c) For purposes of divisions (F)(6)(a) and (b) of this section, in the case of an energy

project for which certification from the power siting board is required under section 4906.20 of the Revised Code , the number of full-time equivalent employees employed in the construction or installation

of the energy project equals the number actually employed or the number projected

to be employed in the certificate application, if such projection is required under

regulations adopted pursuant to section 4906.03 of the Revised Code , whichever is greater. For all other energy projects, the number of full-time equivalent employees employed

in the construction or installation of the energy project equals the number actually

employed or the number projected to be employed by the director of development, whichever

is greater. To estimate the number of employees to be employed in the construction or installation

of an energy project, the director shall use a generally accepted job-estimating model

in use for renewable energy projects, including but not limited to the job and economic

development impact model. The director may adjust an estimate produced by a model to account for variables

not accounted for by the model. (7) For energy projects with a nameplate capacity in excess of twenty megawatts, establish

a relationship with any of the following to educate and train individuals for careers

in the wind or solar energy industry: (a) A member of the university system of Ohio as defined in section 3345.011 of the Revised Code ; (b) A person offering an apprenticeship program registered with the employment and training

administration within the United States department of labor or with the apprenticeship

council created by section 4139.02 of the Revised Code ; (c) A career-technical center, joint vocational school district, comprehensive career-technical

center, or compact career-technical center; (d) A training center operated by a labor organization, or with a training center operated

by a for-profit or nonprofit organization. The relationship may include endowments, cooperative programs, internships, apprenticeships,

research and development projects, and curriculum development. (8) Offer to sell power or renewable energy credits from the energy project to electric

distribution utilities or electric service companies subject to renewable energy resource

requirements under section 4928.64 of the Revised Code that have issued requests for proposal for such power or renewable energy credits. If no electric distribution utility or electric service company issues a request

for proposal on or before December 31, 2010, or accepts an offer for power or renewable

energy credits within forty-five days after the offer is submitted, power or renewable

energy credits from the energy project may be sold to other persons. Division (F)(8) of this section does not apply if: (a) The owner or lessee is a rural electric company or a municipal power agency as defined

in section 3734.058 of the Revised Code . (b) The owner or lessee is a person that, before completion of the energy project, contracted

for the sale of power or renewable energy credits with a rural electric company or

a municipal power agency. (c) The owner or lessee contracts for the sale of power or renewable energy credits from

the energy project before June 17, 2010. (9) Make annual service payments as required by division (G) of this section and as may

be required in a resolution adopted by a board of county commissioners under division

(E) of this section. (G) The owner or a lessee pursuant to a sale and leaseback transaction of a qualified

energy project shall make annual service payments in lieu of taxes to the county treasurer

on or before the final dates for payments of taxes on public utility personal property

on the real and public utility personal property tax list for each tax year for which

property of the energy project is exempt from taxation under this section. The county treasurer shall allocate the payment on the basis of the project's physical

location. Upon receipt of a payment, or if timely payment has not been received, the county

treasurer shall certify such receipt or non-receipt to the director of development

and tax commissioner in a form determined by the director and commissioner, respectively. Each payment shall be in the following amount: (1) In the case of a solar energy project, seven thousand dollars per megawatt of nameplate

capacity located in the county as of the thirty-first-day of December of the preceding

tax year; (2) In the case of any other energy project using renewable energy resources, the following: (a) If the project maintains during the construction or installation of the energy facility