Tax benefits could help promote solar energy in Minas Gerais

The (ALMG) Legislative Assembly of Minas Gerais has been focusing on the need for actions aimed at developing solar energy, encouraging environmental preservation and promoting research into innovation.

Last week, the three themes were on the agenda of the CCJ (Constitution and Justice Commission) for discussions on projects considered that are being processed in the House and must still be analyzed by the merit committees before going to the Plenary.

Among them is PL 765/2019, which aims to authorize Cemig (Companhia Energética de Minas Gerais) to allocate part of the PEE (Energy Efficiency Program for Distribution Companies) investments to the production of solar energy for pumping artesian wells who belong to civil society organizations.

Initially, state deputy Cristiano Silveira (PT), author of the text, justified the need for the proposal by claiming that many localities in Minas Gerais still suffer from the absence of a public water supply system in homes.

However, the commission's opinion highlighted that measures that authorize another Power or public company to carry out actions that are already within its scope may become harmless and, therefore, presented a replacement for the original document.

As a result, the new text to be analyzed provides for the addition of a single paragraph to article 3 of the State Law 20.849/2013, which establishes a policy to encourage the use of solar energy in the state of Minas Gerais.

The article in question determines that the State must develop actions aimed at installing photovoltaic energy systems in communities far from electricity transmission networks. The amendment also changes the term “artesian well” to “tubular well”.

Green bag

Another project that will be analyzed by the Minas Gerais parliamentarians will be the incentive for environmental preservation by rural landowners. The original idea, from state deputy Carlos Pimenta (PDT), foresaw the creation of a bill that would offer “eco credits” to residents, with resources paid for each preserved hectare.

However, the rapporteur of the proposal – deputy Zé Reis (Pode) – stressed that Minas Gerais already has a similar credit, called Bolsa Verde, provided for in State Law 17.727/2008. Thus, he agreed to approve the text in a substitute format.

The new text, therefore, intends to change the State Law 17.727/2008, with the aim of including, among the priority recipients of Bolsa Verde, rural landowners or squatters, regardless of their classification as family farmers or rural producers, who reforest new areas using native species.

research and innovation

In the field of research and innovation, the proposal awaiting consideration is Bill 4.792/2017, authored by state deputy Inácio Franco (PV), which aims to add a single paragraph to article 20 of the Law 17.348 / 2008. With this change, the text seeks to offer incentives through tax exemptions to companies that financially support research and innovation projects in the State.

Currently, the benefit is only offered to companies that work on research for technological innovation through the FIIT (State Fund for the Incentive of Technological Innovation). Before being sent to the Plenary, the matter must be forwarded and analyzed by the Economic Development and Financial and Budgetary Oversight committees of the Legislative Assembly.